Pittsburgh PA vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 203,888 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 63.7% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 22.5% | 2.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $60,713 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $580,126 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 46.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1931 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Salt Lake City
7.9%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 29.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 52.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salt Lake City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Pittsburgh. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³).
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