Pittsburgh PA vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
33.7
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 154,751 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 33.7 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 63.7% | 40.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 22.5% | 20.0% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $51,339 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $27,054 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.2% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 25.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 19.7% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $298,985 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 49.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 326 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Springfield
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, 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 326 in Springfield. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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