Pittsburgh PA vs Sacramento CA — 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pittsburgh
303,620
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.7 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 63.7% | 36.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 22.5% | 12.4% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Sacramento
$42,300
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
Sacramento
36.4%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $42,300 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.2% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 36.4% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $480,548 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 51.5% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2388 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sacramento
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sacramento
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sacramento
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sacramento
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sacramento
11.9%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 61.0°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sacramento + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 27.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 503 in Sacramento. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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