Pittsburgh PA vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 161,993 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 63.7% | 21.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 22.5% | 1.4% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $28,813 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 15.5% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $751,711 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 47.0% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Salinas, 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
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 22.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 57.3°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 28.8 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 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