Pittsburgh PA vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 98,677 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 38.0 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 7.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 63.7% | 57.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 22.5% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.1% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $52,671 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $34,792 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 19.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 28.9% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $279,668 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1726 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 56.0°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 44.5 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
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, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Pittsburgh. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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