Louisville KY 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)
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
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
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Louisville
63.1%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Louisville +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 303,620 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 9.3% | Louisville + |
| White | 63.1% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 23.7% | 22.5% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 4.2% | Louisville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $64,137 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 19.5% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 47.2% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Pittsburgh
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Pittsburgh
1613
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 319 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1613 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
N/A
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 25.0 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Pittsburgh. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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