Pittsburgh PA vs Spokane WA — 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spokane
7.8%
Spokane +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 229,228 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.2 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 6.1% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 63.7% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 22.5% | 2.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 7.8% | Spokane + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $38,200 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.0% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 32.6% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $400,636 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 383 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 3409 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Spokane
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Spokane
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, 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 383 in Spokane. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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