Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Pasadena
18.1%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 125,983 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 36.5 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 41.5% | 45.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 34.1% | 18.1% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Pasadena
$49,845
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Pasadena
47.4%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $49,845 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 47.4% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Pasadena
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Pasadena
2339
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 39.1% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 14.6% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.8% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 32.1% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 17.1% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.6% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 36.1 min | Charlotte + |
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, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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