City comparison
No. Pittsburgh's crime index is 158 versus 167 in Chicago, and its violent crime index is 147 versus 139, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Pittsburgh is cheaper. Median rent is $1,261 a month versus $1,440 in Chicago.
The income gap between Chicago and Pittsburgh is significant: $77,902 median household versus $65,742. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,440 in Chicago and $1,261 in Pittsburgh.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Pittsburgh costs less and Chicago pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Chicago and Pittsburgh are 410 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,440 a month in Chicago to $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh, down $179 a month (12%).
Median household income goes from $77,902 in Chicago to $65,742 in Pittsburgh, down $12,160 (16%).
The crime index goes from 167 in Chicago to 158 in Pittsburgh, down 9 points (5%).
The move
Pittsburgh and Chicago are 410 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh to $1,440 a month in Chicago, up $179 a month (14%).
Median household income goes from $65,742 in Pittsburgh to $77,902 in Chicago, up $12,160 (18%).
The crime index goes from 158 in Pittsburgh to 167 in Chicago, up 9 points (6%).
Chicago, IL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Pittsburgh, PA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Chicago and Pittsburgh? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
12% cheaper
Pittsburgh rent is 12% cheaper than Chicago
Chicago
$1,440/mo
Pittsburgh
Winner$1,261/mo
Typical rent runs $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh versus $1,440 in Chicago, so Pittsburgh is 12% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $2,148, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Pittsburgh still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Chicago.
Planning to buy in Pittsburgh? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
18% higher
Chicago's median income is 18% higher than Pittsburgh
Chicago
Winner$77,902
Pittsburgh
$65,742
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago versus $65,742 in Pittsburgh, so typical pay runs 18% higher in Chicago (about $12,160 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Chicago is the stronger labor market on paper. Pittsburgh can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
5% lower crime
Pittsburgh's crime index is 5% lower than Chicago
Chicago
167 (100 = avg)
Pittsburgh
Winner158 (100 = avg)
Pittsburgh's crime index is 158 versus 167 in Chicago (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 5% lower in Pittsburgh. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Pittsburgh, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Chicago. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
8% more comfortable
Chicago weather is 8% more comfortable than Pittsburgh
Chicago
Winner53°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 66/100
Pittsburgh
51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
Chicago averages about 53°F (60°F highs); Pittsburgh averages about 51°F (58°F highs). Chicago averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Pittsburgh averages around 51°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Chicago scores 8% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Pittsburgh if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 18% higher ($77,902), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 53°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Pittsburgh is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 12% cheaper here at about $1,261 a month. Choose Pittsburgh if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pittsburgh is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 5% lower than Chicago (158 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Pittsburgh is cheaper on rent ($1,261/month vs $1,440), but Chicago's $77,902 median income beats Pittsburgh's $65,742 by 16%. Remote workers paid on Chicago scales can make that trade; local-market earners often cannot.
With only $179 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Safety scores read 44/100 in Chicago and 46/100 in Pittsburgh.
Between Chicago and Pittsburgh, Chicago is ahead on local pay — $77,902 median income against $65,742. Lean Pittsburgh instead when keeping rent near $1,261/month beats chasing $77,902 median income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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