Pittsburgh PA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 205,501 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 34.1 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 63.7% | 58.0% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 22.5% | 12.1% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $35,825 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.4% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 19.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 34.1% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $435,532 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 42.4% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 326 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 48.1 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 27.3 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, 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 326 in Worcester. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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