Pittsburgh PA vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pittsburgh
303,620
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 34.7 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 63.7% | 53.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 22.5% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $59,120 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $435,807 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1999 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Raleigh
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Raleigh
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Raleigh
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Raleigh
10.5%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 61.1°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 46.2 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 25.1 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, 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 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Pittsburgh, PALos Angeles, CA vs Pittsburgh, PAChicago, IL vs Pittsburgh, PAHouston, TX vs Pittsburgh, PAPhoenix, AZ vs Pittsburgh, PAPhiladelphia, PA vs Pittsburgh, PA