Pittsburgh PA vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pittsburgh
303,620
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.6 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 63.7% | 51.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 22.5% | 21.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
Tampa
44.6%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 44.6% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $376,530 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Tampa
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 324 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 73.4°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 46.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 26.8 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, 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 324 in Tampa. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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