Aurora IL 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)
Aurora, IL
Illinois · Population: 24,510
- Median HH Income$62,462
- Median Home Price$320,635
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+13.2%
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
Aurora
24,510
Pasadena
125,983
Pasadena +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Pasadena
25.4%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 125,983 | Pasadena + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 36.5 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 63.2% | 45.5% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 25.4% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Pasadena
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Pasadena
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Pasadena
2339
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Aurora +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Pasadena
17.1%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 39.1% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.6% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.8% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 32.1% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 17.1% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.6% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Pasadena
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 36.1 min | Aurora + |
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, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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