Pittsburgh PA vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
33.6
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Springfield
5.6%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 169,432 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 33.6 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 3.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 63.7% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 22.5% | 4.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 5.6% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $45,984 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $30,864 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $58,527 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 19.4% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 30.3% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
$245,279
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $245,279 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 42.9% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 501 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2418 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Springfield
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Springfield
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 56.3°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 45.6 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 19.5 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 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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