Ann Arbor MI vs Pasadena CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$531,674
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ann Arbor
N/A
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Pasadena
36.3%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Pasadena
48.4%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Pasadena
36.1%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 67,231 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 42.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 36.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 48.4% | - |
| Black | N/A | 2.2% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 36.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Pasadena
$220,408
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Pasadena
$121,565
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Pasadena
3.7%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Pasadena
5.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Pasadena
82.4%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $220,408 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $121,565 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 5.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 82.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Ann Arbor +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Pasadena
54.2%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $1,215,642 | Ann Arbor + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 54.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Ann Arbor +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Ann Arbor + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Pasadena
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Pasadena
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Pasadena
9.2%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 10.7% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 8.2% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.4% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.2% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Pasadena
21.2 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 67.0°F | Ann Arbor + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 21.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pasadena + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Pasadena
24.8 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.8 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Ann Arbor offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $531,674. On public safety, Ann Arbor is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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