Pittsburgh PA vs Portland OR — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pittsburgh
303,620
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 38.6 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 63.7% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 22.5% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,691 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $538,687 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 355 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 3001 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Portland
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Portland
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 78.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 26.5 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³).
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