Phoenix 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 303,620 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 9.3% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 7.8% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 4.2% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $64,137 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.9% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 19.5% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 47.2% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Phoenix, 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
Phoenix
32.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | 39.3 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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