Pittsburgh, PA Crime Rate & Safety

Pittsburgh, PA has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 32% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 208 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 35 chance for property crime. Pittsburgh has higher crime than 83% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Pittsburgh has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. Approximately 63% of the city's 107 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Bluff is one of the safest areas, while Homewood West has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Pittsburgh is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Pittsburgh are Bluff, Lincoln Place, Bon Air, Ridgemont, and Overbrook. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Pittsburgh include Homewood West, Middle Hill, Northview Heights, Bedford Dwellings, and Crawford-Roberts. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Pittsburgh is 481.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 26% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 208 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 6.8 per 100K (36% above average); aggravated assault at 348.9 per 100K (30% above average); robbery at 85.7 per 100K (16% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in Pittsburgh is 2,821.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 54% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 35 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 353.7 per 100K (31% above average); larceny/theft at 2,007.8 per 100K (43% above average); vehicle theft at 459.8 per 100K (44% above average).

Pittsburgh's overall crime rate is 32% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (44% above average), while robbery is 16% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Pittsburgh has higher crime than 83% of them.

Visitors to Pittsburgh should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 54% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Bluff, Lincoln Place, Bon Air.

Pennsylvania as a whole has crime that is 0% below the national average. Pittsburgh's crime rate is 32% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Pennsylvania city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Pittsburgh, with an estimated rate of 2,007.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 43% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,821 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (481 per 100K) in Pittsburgh, which is consistent with national trends.