Pittsburgh PA vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Richmond
227,595
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 227,595 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 34.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 8.6% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 63.7% | 43.2% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 22.5% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.1% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 10.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
Richmond
44.1%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $62,671 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.0% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 44.1% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $374,265 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 43.5% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Richmond
1726
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1726 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 58.9°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 43.6 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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