Nashville 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)
Nashville, TN
Tennessee · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$436,355
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Nashville
N/A
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Nashville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Nashville
N/A
Pittsburgh
33.5
Foreign Born
Nashville
N/A
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Nashville
N/A
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Black
Nashville
N/A
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Nashville
N/A
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Hispanic
Nashville
N/A
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Nashville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 303,620 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 9.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 63.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 22.5% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 4.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Nashville
N/A
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Nashville
N/A
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Nashville
$59,097
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Nashville
N/A
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Nashville
N/A
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Nashville
N/A
Pittsburgh
47.8%
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $64,137 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $43,590 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 19.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 47.8% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Nashville
$436,355
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Nashville
N/A
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $436,355 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 47.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashville
639
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashville
2350
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Nashville, 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
Nashville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Nashville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Nashville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Nashville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Nashville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Nashville, TN | 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
Nashville
N/A
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashville
47.9 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.9 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Nashville
8.9 µg/m³
Nashville +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Nashville
75.0%
Nashville +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Nashville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Nashville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Nashville
N/A
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 639 in Nashville. Nashville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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