Pittsburgh PA vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 71,124 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.0 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 8.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 63.7% | 32.4% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 22.5% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.6% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
$38,786
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $55,269 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $38,786 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $64,087 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.6% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 23.2% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 33.1% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $327,117 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 46.0% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 394 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1991 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Wilmington
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
54.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 54.4°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 49.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Wilmington
25.0 min
Tie
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 25.0 min | Tie |
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 394 in Wilmington. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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