Pittsburgh PA vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 242,169 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 49.2 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 63.7% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 22.5% | 2.0% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.1% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $59,120 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $858,307 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 450 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2150 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Scottsdale
26.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Scottsdale
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Scottsdale
12.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Scottsdale
6.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Scottsdale
7.4%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 26.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 12.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 72.5°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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