Arvada CO 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)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
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
Arvada
122,835
Arvada +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Arvada +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Pasadena
48.4%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Pasadena
2.2%
Pasadena +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 67,231 | Arvada + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 42.5 | Arvada + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 82.8% | 48.4% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 2.2% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 7.1% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Arvada +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Pasadena
54.2%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $1,215,642 | Arvada + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 54.2% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Pasadena
503
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Pasadena
2388
Pasadena +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Pasadena
24.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
Pasadena
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 24.2% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.7% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 15.4% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Pasadena
21.2 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 21.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 24.8 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while arvada offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $617,536. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Arvada. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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