Pittsburgh PA vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 186,419 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 63.7% | 60.1% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 22.5% | 7.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $42,371 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $59,120 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $468,328 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 41.6% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 450 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2150 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Tempe
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Tempe
7.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Tempe
9.1%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 71.3°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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