What are the schools like in Pittsburgh, PA?

Pittsburgh is served primarily by Pittsburgh SD. The district operates 34 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 9 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.8:1.

What is the median household income in Pittsburgh?

The median household income in Pittsburgh, PA is $60,187 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 5.7%.

What is the weather like in Pittsburgh, PA?

Pittsburgh has an average high temperature of 36.6°F in January and 83.0°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 41.3 inches and annual snowfall averages 44.1 inches.

Pittsburgh, PA Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Pittsburgh, PA affordable or expensive?

Pittsburgh's cost of living index is 94, where 100 represents the national average. This means Pittsburgh is 6% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $171,800 and the median rent is $1,153 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Pittsburgh, PA?

Pittsburgh has a violent crime rate of 427.2 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 2280.1 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Pittsburgh, PA a Good Place to Live?

Pittsburgh is a large city of 303,843 in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $60,187 and a 5.7% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 94 (US average = 100), which is 6% below the national average.

Strengths: Pittsburgh stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (A-), a well-educated population, short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Pittsburgh is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Pittsburgh city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 94.4

Pittsburgh's overall cost of living index is 94.4, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Pittsburgh costs roughly 6% less than the average American city.

Metric	Pittsburgh, PA	National Avg
Median Home Value	$171,800	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,153	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	47.4%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$60,187	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Near National Average

Pittsburgh's violent crime rate is 427.2 per 100,000 residents — 12% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

427.2 /100k

Property Crime

2280.1 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Pittsburgh is served primarily by Pittsburgh SD. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.8:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Pittsburgh, PA	National Avg
School District	Pittsburgh SD	—
Elementary Schools	34	—
Middle Schools	7	—
High Schools	9	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	11.8:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	46.7%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	93.9%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Pittsburgh sees average highs of 36.6°F in January and 83.0°F in July, with 41.3 inches of annual precipitation and 44.1 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Pittsburgh, PA
Average High — January	36.6°F
Average High — July	83.0°F
Annual Precipitation	41.3"
Annual Snowfall	44.1"

Demographics

Metric	Pittsburgh, PA	National Avg
Population	303,843	—
Median Age	33.5	38.9
Unemployment Rate	5.7%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	23.4 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	64.5%	59.3%
Black or African American	23.2%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	2.8%	18.9%
Asian	5.6%	6.3%
Under 18	14.6%	22.2%
65 and over	15.1%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Mount Oliver, PA 2 mi Millvale, PA 3 mi Etna, PA 4 mi Homestead, PA 4 mi Baldwin, PA 4 mi

ZIP Codes in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA is covered by 24 ZIP codes:

15206 15212 15207 15210 15217 15214 15213 15220 15219 15205 15226 15201 15204 15216 15211 15224 15208 15203 15233 15222 15232 15282 15260 15290

Pittsburgh vs Other Cities

Pittsburgh, PA vs Mount Oliver, PA Pittsburgh, PA vs Millvale, PA Pittsburgh, PA vs Etna, PA Pittsburgh, PA vs Homestead, PA Pittsburgh, PA vs Baldwin, PA

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pittsburgh, PA affordable or expensive?

Pittsburgh's cost of living index is 94, where 100 is the national average. That makes Pittsburgh roughly 6% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $171,800 and median rent is $1,153/month.

What is the crime rate in Pittsburgh, PA?

Pittsburgh's violent crime rate is 427.2 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2280.1 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Pittsburgh?

Public schools in Pittsburgh are operated by Pittsburgh SD. The district has 34 elementary, 7 middle, and 9 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.8:1. 46.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Pittsburgh, PA a good place to live?

Pittsburgh, PA has a population of 303,843, a median household income of $60,187, and an unemployment rate of 5.7%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh averages 36.6°F in January and 83.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 41.3 inches with about 44.1 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh, PA is covered by 24 ZIP codes: 15206, 15212, 15207, 15210, 15217, 15214, 15213, 15220, 15219, 15205, 15226, 15201, 15204, 15216, 15211, 15224, 15208, 15203, 15233, 15222, 15232, 15282, 15260, 15290.

What is the population of Pittsburgh?

The population of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is 303,843 with a median age of 33.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Pittsburgh?

Key numbers for living in Pittsburgh: cost of living index 94 (100 = US average), median home $171,800, median household income $60,187, crime index 111 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Pittsburgh side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.