Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Pasadena
18.1%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 125,983 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.5 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 11.7% | 45.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 76.8% | 18.1% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Pasadena
$218,978
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $218,978 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Pasadena
2339
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Pasadena
39.1%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 39.1% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 32.1% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.1% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Pasadena
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 36.1 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
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