New York NY 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)
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
New York
35.9%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 303,620 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 9.3% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 22.7% | 22.5% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 5.8% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 4.2% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
New York +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
New York +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | New York, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $64,137 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $43,590 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,080 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 19.5% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | New York, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | New York, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | New York, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
New York +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | New York, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | New York, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 434 in New York. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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