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Pittsburgh has an extensive park system, plus underrated outdoor recreation in the Laurel Highlands an hour to the east. Jacksonville is located on the ocean and has some nice beaches nearby. Fort Worth doesn't seem to have too many opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Cost of living
1. Jacksonville
2. Fort Worth
3. Pittsburgh
Jacksonville is the most affordable of the major cities in Florida, and neither Florida nor Texas have state income taxes. There are a few layers of tax in Pittsburgh, but nothing unreasonable.
Safety/walkability
1. Pittsburgh
2. Fort Worth
3. Jacksonville
Pittsburgh was developed before the car, while Fort Worth and Jacksonville were developed with the car.
Scenery
1. Pittsburgh
2. Jacksonville
3. Fort Worth
Pittsburgh has some of the best natural scenery of any city in the United States. Jacksonville has palm trees. Fort Worth has lots of grass and dirt.
Happiness
1. Fort Worth
2. Jacksonville
3. Pittsburgh
Texans seem to be pretty happy people for the most part. Floridians seem to be a bit more stressed out than Texans. In Pittsburgh, old people are curmudgeon and young people are cautiously optimistic.
Food
1. Pittsburgh
2. Fort Worth
3. Jacksonville
Pittsburgh has an underrated food scene, especially regarding healthy foods. Fort Worth probably has the most diverse food scene, but not as much healthy emphasis. Jacksonville has "soul food."
Job opportunities
1. Fort Worth
2. Pittsburgh
3. Jacksonville
Texas has the most robust economy in the United States, and Pennsylvania's not far behind. Florida is still struggling a bit.
Family-friendliness
1. Pittsburgh
2. Jacksonville
3. Fort Worth
Each city is pretty family-friendly, but I put Pittsburgh at the top because it's less transient than the other two cities.
Environment
1. Fort Worth
2. Jacksonville
3. Pittsburgh
Air quality is best in Fort Worth because there's nothing but grass and dirt to the west. Jacksonville has plenty of haze. Pittsburgh is located on the windward side of the Appalachian mountains, so air pollution from the west gets trapped there sometimes.
Weekend destinations
1. Pittsburgh
2. Jacksonville
3. Fort Worth
Pittsburgh is within 500 miles of half the population of the United States, plus southern Ontario. Jacksonville is located in the burgeoning south Atlantic region. Fort Worth has a lot of emptiness to the west.
Which do you think is the best city for a married couple in their late 20s/early 30s ready to start a family?
Some specific criteria:
Nearby outdoor recreation and wild areas, particularly for hiking and camping, is a plus
Cost of living is important
Opportunities to live in clean, safe and walkable neighborhoods is a plus
Natural aesthetics
Quality of the populace (general happiness, vibe)
Good restaurants/healthy food
Job opportunities
Family-friendly
Healthy environment (air and water quality)
Drivable weekend vacation destinations (including other cities)
Outdoor recreation - Pittsburgh. Mountains all around the city, along with tons of state parks and National Forests within 2 hours of city (there is a state park in Downtown!).
Cost of Living - Pittsburgh. Its one of the cheapest large cities to live in the country.
Clean/Safe - Pittsburgh's metro is one of the overall safest places again. With the exception of a handful of bad neighborhoods in the city and the Mon Valley area.
Natural Aesthetics - Pittsburgh. Beautiful city and surrounding areas. Mountains and hills surround the area with a good mix of urban and green areas.
Quality of Inhabitants - I'm happy and could never live anywhere else but this is quite biased.
Food - Toss up
Jobs - Pittsburgh has done very well through the Recession, actually gaining jobs while other areas were losing.
Healthy Environment - Probably not Pittsburgh maybe Jacksonville I would think.
Weekend Destinations - Pittsburgh. Look at the outdoors part. Mulitple Ski resorts and other things to do.
Other cities:
Cleveland 1.5 hours
Columbus 2.5 hours
Philadelphia 5 hours
Wash DC 4 hours
Baltimore 4 hours
NYC 7 hours
We're not gloomy or look like 19th century London.
Pfft, I thought the western half of the state was supposed to have thicker skin than the eastern half. I took jabs at all 3 cities stereotypes, if you don't like it, I don't much give a damn.
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but this is quite biased. 
maybe Jacksonville I would think.
