Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 303,620 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 9.3% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 39.9% | 22.5% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 5.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 4.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $65,080 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $240,538 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 47.2% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Pittsburgh
319
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Pittsburgh
1613
Tie
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 319 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1613 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | 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
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Pittsburgh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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