Downey CA 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)
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
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
Downey
114,617
Pasadena
125,983
Pasadena +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Pasadena
19.3%
White
Downey
21.0%
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Pasadena
25.4%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 125,983 | Pasadena + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 36.5 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 19.3% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 45.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 0.4% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 25.4% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Pasadena
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 39.1% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.6% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 17.8% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 32.1% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.1% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.6% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Downey +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Downey, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 36.1 min | Downey + |
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 503 in Downey. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Downey has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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