Pittsburgh PA vs Saint Paul MN — 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%

Saint Paul, MN

Minnesota · Population: 307,762

  • Median HH Income$73,055
  • Median Home Price$297,021
  • Unemployment4.9%
  • Bachelor's+43.5%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Pittsburgh
303,620
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Saint Paul
33.5
Tie
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Saint Paul
9.1%
Saint Paul +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Saint Paul
$41,594
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
Saint Paul
43.5%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Saint Paul
$297,021
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Saint Paul
1992

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Saint Paul
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +

Which City is Right for You?

Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Pittsburgh. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).

Compare More Cities

About Pittsburgh & Saint Paul