Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Pasadena
67,231
Pasadena +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Pasadena
42.5
Pasadena +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Pasadena
48.4%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Pasadena
2.2%
Pasadena +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 67,231 | Pasadena + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 42.5 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 65.7% | 48.4% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 2.2% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 7.1% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Pasadena
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Pasadena
3.7%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Pasadena
5.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 3.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 5.4% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Chula Vista +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Pasadena
54.2%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $1,215,642 | Chula Vista + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 54.2% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Pasadena
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Pasadena
2388
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.4% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Chula Vista +
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Pasadena
21.2 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 67.0°F | Chula Vista + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 21.2 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 24.8 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while chula Vista offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $849,245. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and 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%.
Compare More Cities
Chula Vista, CA vs New York, NYChula Vista, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Chula Vista, CAChula Vista, CA vs Houston, TXChula Vista, CA vs Phoenix, AZChula Vista, CA vs Philadelphia, PA