Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 303,620 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 25.0% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 62.9% | 22.5% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 4.2% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $240,538 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 25.0 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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