Pittsburgh PA vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Rochester
33.5
Tie
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 209,720 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 33.5 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 8.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 63.7% | 41.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 22.5% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.2% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $46,628 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $30,451 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 26.6% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 29.9% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $241,627 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 37.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1736 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
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, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 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