Anchorage AK vs Pasadena TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 125,983 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 36.5 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 58.3% | 45.5% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Pasadena
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $63,758 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Pasadena
2339
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 442 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2339 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Anchorage +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Pasadena
17.1%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Anchorage +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 39.1% | Anchorage + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 14.6% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.8% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 32.1% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.1% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.6% | Anchorage + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Anchorage +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anchorage + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 36.1 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anchorage scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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