Carrollton TX 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)
Carrollton, TX
Texas · Population: 132,741
- Median HH Income$99,115
- Median Home Price$408,531
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Carrollton
132,741
Carrollton +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carrollton
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Carrollton
38.4
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Foreign Born
Carrollton
26.9%
Carrollton +
Pasadena
19.3%
White
Carrollton
52.1%
Carrollton +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Carrollton
9.2%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Carrollton
16.4%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Carrollton
31.8%
Carrollton +
Pasadena
25.4%
Spanish at Home
Carrollton
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 125,983 | Carrollton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 36.5 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 26.9% | 19.3% | Carrollton + |
| White | 52.1% | 45.5% | Carrollton + |
| Black | 9.2% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 16.4% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 25.4% | Carrollton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carrollton
$99,115
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Carrollton
$50,000
Carrollton +
Pasadena
$49,845
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carrollton
$63,758
Pasadena
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Carrollton
3.2%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Carrollton
6.9%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Carrollton
43.3%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $99,115 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,000 | $49,845 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.9% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carrollton
$408,531
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Carrollton
58.3%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,531 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
442
Pasadena
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
2339
Pasadena
2339
Tie
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
32.2%
Carrollton +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
10.8%
Carrollton +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carrollton
15.3%
Carrollton +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
14.8%
Carrollton +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
16.9%
Carrollton +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
9.8%
Carrollton +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.2% | 39.1% | Carrollton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 14.6% | Carrollton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 17.8% | Carrollton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 32.1% | Carrollton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 17.1% | Carrollton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 14.6% | Carrollton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carrollton
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carrollton
55.0%
Pasadena
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carrollton
26.2 min
Carrollton +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 36.1 min | Carrollton + |
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 442 in Carrollton. 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, Carrollton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
Compare More Cities
Carrollton, TX vs New York, NYCarrollton, TX vs Los Angeles, CACarrollton, TX vs Chicago, ILCarrollton, TX vs Houston, TXCarrollton, TX vs Phoenix, AZCarrollton, TX vs Philadelphia, PA