Los Angeles CA vs Pittsburgh PA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 303,620 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 9.3% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 8.5% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 5.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 4.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Los Angeles +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $64,137 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $43,590 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 19.5% | Los Angeles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 39.3 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Los Angeles +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Los Angeles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Los Angeles. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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