Pittsburgh PA vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pittsburgh
303,620
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Sparks
N/A
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 63.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 22.5% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $62,696 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $530,668 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 460 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2417 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sparks
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 52.4°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Sparks +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sparks + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³).
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