City comparison
No. Pittsburgh's crime index is 158 versus 223 in Washington, and its violent crime index is 147 versus 243, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Pittsburgh is cheaper. Median rent is $1,261 a month versus $1,954 in Washington.
The income gap between Washington and Pittsburgh is significant: $109,870 median household versus $65,742. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,954 in Washington and $1,261 in Pittsburgh.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Pittsburgh costs less and Washington 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
Washington and Pittsburgh are 190 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,954 a month in Washington to $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh, down $693 a month (35%).
Median household income goes from $109,870 in Washington to $65,742 in Pittsburgh, down $44,128 (40%).
The crime index goes from 223 in Washington to 158 in Pittsburgh, down 65 points (29%).
The move
Pittsburgh and Washington are 190 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh to $1,954 a month in Washington, up $693 a month (55%).
Median household income goes from $65,742 in Pittsburgh to $109,870 in Washington, up $44,128 (67%).
The crime index goes from 158 in Pittsburgh to 223 in Washington, up 65 points (41%).
Washington, DC
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 Washington and Pittsburgh? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
35% cheaper
Pittsburgh rent is 35% cheaper than Washington
Washington
$1,954/mo
Pittsburgh
Winner$1,261/mo
Typical rent runs $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh versus $1,954 in Washington, so Pittsburgh is 35% cheaper. That's roughly $693/month back in your pocket ($8,316/year). Over five years that's $41,580 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 Washington, 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
67% higher
Washington's median income is 67% higher than Pittsburgh
Washington
Winner$109,870
Pittsburgh
$65,742
Median household income is $109,870 in Washington versus $65,742 in Pittsburgh, so typical pay runs 67% higher in Washington (about $44,128 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, Washington 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
29% lower crime
Pittsburgh's crime index is 29% lower than Washington
Washington
223 (100 = avg)
Pittsburgh
Winner158 (100 = avg)
Pittsburgh's crime index is 158 versus 223 in Washington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 29% 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. Washington can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
23% more comfortable
Washington weather is 23% more comfortable than Pittsburgh
Washington
Winner56°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 75/100
Pittsburgh
51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
Washington averages about 56°F (63°F highs); Pittsburgh averages about 51°F (58°F highs). Washington averages around 56°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. Washington scores 23% 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 67% higher ($109,870), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 56°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 35% 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 29% lower than Washington (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 $1,954), but Washington's $109,870 median income beats Pittsburgh's $65,742 by 40%. Remote workers paid on Washington scales can make that trade; local-market earners often cannot.
Washington still pays more locally ($109,870 median income vs $65,742), which can offset the lease if your field pays Washington rates.
Safety scores read 36/100 in Washington and 46/100 in Pittsburgh.
Most movers who prioritize local pay land in Washington; Pittsburgh only makes sense when $1,261/month housing savings outweigh $109,870 median pay in your field.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Washington and Pittsburgh, plus other cities in DC and PA.
