Pittsburgh PA vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Vancouver
5.3%
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 192,696 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 63.7% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 22.5% | 3.1% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Vancouver
$42,839
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $42,839 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 31.5% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $510,577 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Vancouver
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Vancouver, 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
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Vancouver
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Vancouver
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Vancouver
11.7%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 52.1°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 41.6 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 25.1 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, 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 Vancouver. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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