Mesa AZ 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)
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 303,620 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 9.3% | Mesa + |
| White | 69.7% | 63.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 4.2% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $64,137 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.9% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 19.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 47.2% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 39.3 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, 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 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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