Pittsburgh PA vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 176,666 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.7 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 63.7% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 22.5% | 1.6% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $36,477 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,691 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 31.4% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $438,754 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 355 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 3001 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 53.0°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 39.7 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, 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 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³).
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