Pittsburgh PA vs Wilmington NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 250,887 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.6 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 63.7% | 48.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 22.5% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $57,673 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $35,074 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $59,120 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 37.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $419,326 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1999 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 63.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 58.4 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
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 398 in Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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