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Philadelphia vs Pittsburgh: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Philadelphia has a crime rate of 26.5 per 1,000 residents vs Pittsburgh's 23 per 1,000, making Pittsburgh 13% safer overall. Pittsburgh earns a B- safety grade compared to Philadelphia's C+. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

C+

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeD
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate26.5/1K
Percentile41%
B-

Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23/1K
Percentile50%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricPhiladelphiaPittsburgh
Overall Crime Rate26.5/1K23/1K
Violent Crime Rate750.0450.4
Property Crime Rate1900.01846.9
Murder Rate12.27.6
Assault Rate561.2373.5
Robbery Rate121.489.3
Burglary Rate245.4266.3
Theft Rate1445.11290.5
Vehicle Theft Rate266.1412.5

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Philadelphia is safer in 2 and Pittsburgh is safer in 7.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Philadelphia, you have a 1 in 38 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 43 in Pittsburgh.

Full Safety Reports

C+
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
B-
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Philadelphia vs Pittsburgh

Philadelphia Climate Overview

Annual High64.4°F
Annual Low47.9°F
Annual Rain42.2"
Annual Snow19.0"
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthSeptember
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarm

Pittsburgh Climate Overview

Annual High61°F
Annual Low43.9°F
Annual Rain37.5"
Annual Snow30.5"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

Monthly Temperature Comparison

PhiladelphiaPittsburghHigh/Low °F range
20°40°60°80°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Philadelphia is 4°F warmer in summer than Pittsburgh, but Pittsburgh is 4°F colder in winter than Philadelphia. Pittsburgh gets significantly more snow (31" vs 19"). Philadelphia has more comfortable weather months (6 vs 5).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Philadelphia safer than Pittsburgh?
As of 2026, Pittsburgh is 13% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23 per 1,000 residents compared to Philadelphia's 26.5. Pittsburgh earns a B- safety grade vs Philadelphia's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Philadelphia or Pittsburgh?
Philadelphia has more violent crime at 750 per 100,000 residents. Pittsburgh is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Philadelphia vs Pittsburgh?
Philadelphia has a crime rate of 26.5 per 1,000 (violent: 750/100K, property: 1900/100K). Pittsburgh has 23 per 1,000 (violent: 450/100K, property: 1847/100K).
Should I move to Philadelphia or Pittsburgh?
From a safety perspective, Pittsburgh has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Philadelphia (pop. 1,574,281) and Pittsburgh (pop. 307,632) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Pittsburgh's B- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Philadelphia and Pittsburgh compare for property crime?
Pittsburgh has lower property crime at 1847 per 100K vs Philadelphia's 1900. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Philadelphia vs New YorkPhiladelphia vs ChicagoPhiladelphia vs Boston

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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