Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Pasadena
19.3%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Pasadena
25.4%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 125,983 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 36.5 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 19.3% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 45.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 17.1% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 25.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Pasadena
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,758 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Pasadena
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Pasadena
2339
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 442 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2339 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Pasadena
17.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Elizabeth +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 39.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 32.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | 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.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 36.1 min | Elizabeth + |
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, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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