| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Pittsburgh/100k people | Pennsylvania/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 8,587 | n/a (estimate) | 2,707 | 1,681 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 36 | n/a | 11.4 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 164 | n/a | 51.7 | 27.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 394 | n/a | 124.2 | 51.4 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 761 | n/a | 239.9 | 161.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 1,355 | n/a (estimate) | 427 | 246 | 359 |
| Burglary | 738 | n/a | 232.7 | 116.7 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 5,406 | n/a | 1,704.4 | 1,129.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 1,088 | n/a | 343.0 | 188.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 7,232 | n/a (estimate) | 2,280 | 1,435 | 1,760 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Pittsburgh is 27.8% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Pittsburgh, there were 1355 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 427 per 100,000 individuals, 19% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 7232 property crimes, amounting to 2280 per 100,000 residents, 29.5% higher than the U.S. average.
Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Pittsburgh has one of the highest murder rates in the country when compared to all other cities that reported crime in the U.S. There were a total of 36 murders in Pittsburgh, which is 11 murders per 100,000 people.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Pittsburgh residents. Out of the respondents (244 in total), 52% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Pittsburgh were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 48% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Pittsburgh, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Pittsburgh presents a total crime rate that is 28% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Pittsburgh experiences an average of 23.53 daily crimes, comprising 3.71 violent incidents and 19.81 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
Year-over-year crime rates in Pittsburgh has decreased by 21.1% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Pittsburgh is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has decreased by 22.6%, while property crime has decreased by 20.8%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh is a large urban city with at least 85 distinct neighborhoods. As a result, crime rates will differ dramatically from one neighborhood to the next. Typically, high density neighborhoods that are located close to the city center, experience more crime than neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city. Some of the safest neighborhoods in Pittsburgh include: Squirrel Hill North, Regent Square and Swisshelm Park. Some neighborhoods that have a higher number of reported crime that you might want to avoid include: Homewood South, Central Business District and Middle Hill.
The economic well-being of a city's residents plays a significant role in crime rates. High poverty rates and income inequality can lead to increased crime stats as individuals may resort to illegal activities to meet their basic needs. While lower rates could lead to a lower Pittsburgh crime rate. The poverty level in Pittsburgh is 19.7%, while the national average is 15.1%.
Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Pittsburgh crime rates. Pittsburgh registers a population density of 5603.4 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.
The median home price in Pittsburgh is $245,220, compared to the national average of $326,622. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.
| Item | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 947 | 14,701 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.0 | 1.8 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Pennsylvania /100K | National /100K |
| Pennsylvania | 21,558 | 176 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| South Heights, PA | 319 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Port Vue, PA | 3,750 | 0 | 28 | 28 |
| Turtle Creek, PA | 5,328 | 21 | 41 | 62 |
| Irwin, PA | 3,885 | 43 | 87 | 130 |
| Heidelberg, PA | 1,267 | 0 | 163 | 163 |
| Edgeworth, PA | 1,585 | 0 | 186 | 186 |
| Bell Acres, PA | 1,549 | 0 | 207 | 207 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 310,293 | 427 | 2,280 | 2,707 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Cincinnati, OH | 309,429 | 846 | 3,829 | 4,675 |
| St. Paul, MN | 315,338 | 618 | 2,834 | 3,452 |
| St. Louis, MO | 315,543 | 1,367 | 5,707 | 7,074 |
| Greensboro, NC | 304,481 | 924 | 3,383 | 4,307 |
| Anchorage, AK | 302,697 | 1,015 | 2,766 | 3,781 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 310,293 | 427 | 2,280 | 2,707 |
Here are the best places to live in Pennsylvania
Safest Cities In The US
See the best places to live in Pittsburgh
Most Dangerous Cities In The US