City comparison
No. Pittsburgh's crime index is 158 versus 252 in Seattle, and its violent crime index is 147 versus 216, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Pittsburgh is cheaper. Median rent is $1,261 a month versus $2,030 in Seattle.
The income gap between Seattle and Pittsburgh is significant: $123,860 median household versus $65,742. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,030 in Seattle and $1,261 in Pittsburgh.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Pittsburgh costs less and Seattle 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.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Pittsburgh at $1,261 average has pockets that run $1,061 and others at $1,661: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Seattle and Pittsburgh are 2,133 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,030 a month in Seattle to $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh, down $769 a month (38%).
Median household income goes from $123,860 in Seattle to $65,742 in Pittsburgh, down $58,118 (47%).
The crime index goes from 252 in Seattle to 158 in Pittsburgh, down 94 points (37%).
The move
Pittsburgh and Seattle are 2,133 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh to $2,030 a month in Seattle, up $769 a month (61%).
Median household income goes from $65,742 in Pittsburgh to $123,860 in Seattle, up $58,118 (88%).
The crime index goes from 158 in Pittsburgh to 252 in Seattle, up 94 points (59%).
Seattle, WA
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 Seattle and Pittsburgh? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
38% cheaper
Pittsburgh rent is 38% cheaper than Seattle
Seattle
$2,030/mo
Pittsburgh
Winner$1,261/mo
Typical rent runs $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh versus $2,030 in Seattle, so Pittsburgh is 38% cheaper. That's roughly $769/month back in your pocket ($9,228/year). Over five years that's $46,140 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Seattle, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Pittsburgh is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Pittsburgh? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
88% higher
Seattle's median income is 88% higher than Pittsburgh
Seattle
Winner$123,860
Pittsburgh
$65,742
Median household income is $123,860 in Seattle versus $65,742 in Pittsburgh, so typical pay runs 88% higher in Seattle (about $58,118 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, Seattle 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
37% lower crime
Pittsburgh's crime index is 37% lower than Seattle
Seattle
252 (100 = avg)
Pittsburgh
Winner158 (100 = avg)
Pittsburgh's crime index is 158 versus 252 in Seattle (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 37% lower in Pittsburgh. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Pittsburgh is the easier city. Seattle can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
18% more comfortable
Seattle weather is 18% more comfortable than Pittsburgh
Seattle
Winner55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Pittsburgh
51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
Seattle averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Pittsburgh averages about 51°F (58°F highs). Seattle averages around 55°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. Seattle scores 18% 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 88% higher ($123,860), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 55°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 38% 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 37% lower than Seattle (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
This pair is really a paycheck comparison: Seattle at $123,860 median income versus $65,742 in Pittsburgh. Housing ($1,261 in Pittsburgh, $2,030 in Seattle) is secondary unless you are rent-burdened already.
Seattle still pays more locally ($123,860 median income vs $65,742), which can offset the lease if your field pays Seattle rates.
Safety scores read 32/100 in Seattle and 46/100 in Pittsburgh.
Pick Seattle when your field pays toward $123,860 median income. Otherwise, Pittsburgh's case rests on a $1,261 lease that leaves more room in the monthly budget.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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