City profile · Pennsylvania · Census ACS 2023

Pittsburgh, PA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Pittsburgh - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

303,620
Residents
$64,137
Median income
$193,200
Median home
$1,299
Median rent (state)

Pittsburgh - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Pittsburgh lands in the 42nd percentile for household income and the 19th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

42nd
percentile, household income
41st
percentile, home value
45th
percentile, median rent
19th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Pittsburgh, PA

Pennsylvania's Pittsburgh is a mid-sized U.S. city, with 303,620 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Pittsburgh households earn a median of $64,137 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 12.2%. Typical homes in Pittsburgh are valued around $193,200, and the median resident age is 33.5 years. 47.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 60.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 1,664 residential building permits were authorized in Pittsburgh (Building Boom), up 152% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2707.3 crimes per 100,000 residents, near the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Pittsburgh's yearly average temperature at 51.8°F with 39.6 inches of precipitation per year and 44.1 inches of snowfall.

Pennsylvania tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Pennsylvania at 97.6 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,299 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Pennsylvania run around $260, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. The average commute for Pittsburgh workers runs 18.4 minutes, with 48.2% driving alone and 20.4% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 98.1 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

303,620 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Pennsylvania

Median Household Income

$64,137 /yr

Poverty 12.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Pennsylvania average

How does Pittsburgh compare to other US cities?

Here's how Pittsburgh stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 42% higher than other cities
Home value 41% pricier than other cities
Median rent 45% pricier than other cities
Safety 19% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh ranks #372 of 402 Pennsylvania cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Pittsburgh's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Pennsylvania, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

42ndIncome percentile
19thSafety percentile

42nd percentile nationally for median household income · 19th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Pittsburgh's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Pittsburgh's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 39 Avg. percentile National median
Pittsburgh's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Pittsburgh's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$193,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 59% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Pittsburgh $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Pittsburgh, PA Pittsburgh, PA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Pittsburgh, PA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Pittsburgh, PA median $64,137/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Pittsburgh, PA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Pittsburgh, PA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 47.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.9%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
303,620
Median Income
$64,137
Median Home Value
$193,200
Median Age
33.5
Poverty Rate
12.2%
Labor force participation
60.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
47.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2707.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
427.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2280.1
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
39.6"
Annual Snowfall
44.1"

Schools

Total Schools
145
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
302,000 residents304,000 residents306,000 residents308,000 residents310,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 302,859 residents 307,632 residents ▲ +1.6%
Pittsburgh's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
1,664
housing units authorized
Single-Family
229
detached homes
Multifamily
1,435
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 660
2020 620
2021 815
2022 2,028
2023 2,512
2024 1,664

Permit volume increased 152% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
18.4 minutes
Drive Alone
48.2%
Carpool
6.2%
Public Transit
12.4%
Walk
9.8%
Work from Home
20.4%
Other
3.0%

Based on 156,351 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Pennsylvania - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$120
avg/month
Natural Gas
$88
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$52
avg/month
Total Utilities
$260
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Pennsylvania state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Pennsylvania state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Pittsburgh sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,299/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
98.1 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Pennsylvania

Allentown
125,320 people
Reading
94,836 people
Erie
94,156 people
Bethlehem
77,069 people
Scranton
76,074 people
Lancaster
57,683 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Pittsburgh's 303,620 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Newark, NJ
307,188 people
St. Paul, MN
307,762 people
Irvine, CA
308,160 people
Greensboro, NC
298,564 people
Cincinnati, OH
309,595 people
Santa Ana, CA
311,639 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Pittsburgh's $64,137 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Byron, MI
$64,135 median income
Jacksonville, OH
$64,135 median income
Rainsville, AL
$64,140 median income
Canton, KS
$64,141 median income
Rockwell, NC
$64,141 median income
Cottage Grove, OR
$64,133 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Pittsburgh, PA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Pittsburgh, PA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 63.7% 22.5% 6.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.2% White 63.7% Black or African American 22.5% Asian 5.8% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.6% Two or more races 6.2% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Pittsburgh compares to nearby Pennsylvania cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Pittsburgh (this city) 303,620 $64,137
Allentown 125,320 $53,403
Reading 94,836 $45,599
Erie 94,156 $43,397
Census ACS 5-year FIPS PA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Pittsburgh, PA?

What is the population of Pittsburgh, PA? +

Pittsburgh, PA counts 303,620 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Pittsburgh, PA? +

The median household income in Pittsburgh is $64,137 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Pittsburgh? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Pittsburgh; the closest available measure is the Pennsylvania state average, a cost of living index of 97.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Pennsylvania vary by metro area.

Is Pittsburgh, PA safe? +

Pittsburgh has a total crime rate of 2707.3 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Pittsburgh, PA? +

Homes in Pittsburgh carry a median value of $193,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Pittsburgh? +

The average annual temperature in Pittsburgh runs 51.8°F, 39.6 inches of precipitation, and 44.1 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.