Photo: Wikipedia
Quality of Life in Pittsburg, KS
Above-average quality of iife. The area offers a reasonable cost of living, decent mobility, and a mix of neighborhood amenities.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
Cost of Living
41% below national average
The Real Cost of Living in Pittsburg, KS for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $13k | $25k |
| Comfortable | $22k | $33k |
| Luxury | $73k+ | $113k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $97k+ | $150k+ |
123%
The Area Signal
A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.
Hobbies
Explore the areaGroceries
3 within 10 miles
Gas
9 within 10 miles
Hospital
2 within 20 miles
Airport
MCI — Kansas City International
Post Office
USPS — Pittsburg, KS
Critical Amenities
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Pittsburg, Kansas, offers a notably affordable quality of life that attracts a mix of working-class families, university-affiliated residents, and retirees seeking a low-stress, budget-friendly environment. With a cost of living index of 59 (well below the U.S. average of 100), the area is one of the most economical small cities in the Midwest, drawing people who prioritize financial stability and a slower pace over urban amenities. The population skews younger due to Pittsburg State University, but the city also retains a core of long-term residents employed in regional manufacturing, healthcare, and education.
How housing costs and everyday expenses compare to Joplin and other nearby towns
Pittsburg’s housing market is exceptionally accessible. The median home value sits at $110,800, roughly half the national median, while the median rent is $840 per month. This makes homeownership feasible for entry-level workers and young families who might be priced out of larger Kansas cities like Overland Park or even nearby Joplin, Missouri (where median home values hover around $150,000). The average commute is just 14.7 minutes, well below the national average of 26 minutes, meaning residents spend far less on transportation and gain more personal time. Utility costs and grocery prices also track below national norms, reinforcing the area’s reputation as a place where a modest income can support a comfortable lifestyle. However, property taxes in Crawford County are slightly above the Kansas median, so buyers should factor that into long-term budgeting.
What daily life is like for families: schools, parks, and local amenities
Daily life in Pittsburg revolves around a compact, walkable downtown and a strong sense of community. The Pittsburg Community Schools district serves most families, with Pittsburg High School offering dual-credit programs through the university. For younger children, the city operates several well-maintained parks, including Schlanger Park with its splash pad and the 40-acre Pittsburg State University campus, which hosts public events like concerts and art exhibits. The university also brings a steady stream of cultural and athletic events—football games at Carnie Smith Stadium and theater productions at the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts—that are open to the public. Retail and dining are concentrated along Broadway Street, with local staples like Chicken Annie’s and the Pitt State-themed restaurants, plus a Walmart Supercenter and a modest regional hospital (Ascension Via Christi) for everyday healthcare. Residents often drive 30 minutes to Joplin for larger shopping malls or specialized medical care, but most daily errands can be handled within city limits.
This combination of low costs, short commutes, and a tight-knit community makes Pittsburg an ideal fit for budget-conscious families, university employees, and remote workers who want a quiet base with access to outdoor recreation (the nearby strip pits and Crawford State Park offer fishing and hiking). Retirees on fixed incomes also find the affordability appealing, though those seeking robust cultural scenes or high-end dining may feel limited. For anyone who values financial breathing room and a slower, neighborly rhythm, Pittsburg delivers a quality of life that punches well above its price tag.
Crime in Pittsburg, KS
Generally safer than 59% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Pittsburg, Kansas, reports a violent crime rate of 360.5 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 2,947.6 per 100,000, figures that place the city above national averages for both categories. While not among the most dangerous cities in the state, these numbers indicate a safety environment that warrants careful consideration, particularly for families and individuals moving from lower-crime areas. The city's location as a regional hub in southeast Kansas contributes to its crime profile, which includes both local and transient criminal activity.
Crime in context
Pittsburg's violent crime rate of 360.5 per 100,000 is roughly 3% higher than the national average of approximately 350 per 100,000, while its property crime rate of 2,947.6 per 100,000 exceeds the national average by about 40%. Compared to other Kansas cities of similar size, Pittsburg falls in the middle range for violent crime but ranks higher for property offenses, particularly larceny and vehicle theft. The state of Kansas overall has a violent crime rate near 380 per 100,000, making Pittsburg slightly safer than the state average for violent crime but notably worse for property crime. Crawford County, where Pittsburg is located, has seen property crime rates fluctuate with economic conditions, including periods of elevated theft during downturns in the local coal and manufacturing sectors.
What residents experience
Residents most commonly report property crimes such as burglary, theft from vehicles, and vandalism, particularly in areas near Pittsburg State University and along the Broadway Street corridor. Violent crime, while less frequent, includes aggravated assault and robbery, with incidents concentrated in specific neighborhoods rather than distributed evenly across the city. The local justice system operates under Kansas state law, which applies mandatory minimum sentences for certain violent offenses, but Crawford County has seen some turnover in prosecutorial leadership that has introduced variability in charging practices. Progressive ideological approaches in the justice system, which prioritize offender rehabilitation over strict enforcement, can lead to more criminals remaining on the street and reduce the deterrent effect of prosecution, directly impacting victim justice and public safety. Pittsburg's proximity to the Missouri state line also means that cross-border criminal activity, including drug trafficking and stolen property movement, affects local crime patterns.
Neighborhood-level variation is significant in Pittsburg. The areas immediately surrounding the university campus and the downtown commercial district experience higher rates of property crime, while residential neighborhoods on the city's west and south sides report lower overall crime. The North Side, historically a working-class area, has seen periodic spikes in drug-related offenses. Prospective residents should research specific blocks and consult local police department crime maps, as safety conditions can change within a few streets' distance. Gated apartment complexes and newer subdivisions on the city's outskirts generally report fewer incidents than older, denser housing near the city center.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-05-04T02:50:10.000Z
Narrative content on this page is AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them.
ReloMaps may earn a commission from affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
