Elk Grove 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)
Elk Grove, CA
California · Population: 177,221
- Median HH Income$122,229
- Median Home Price$637,623
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
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
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Pasadena
19.3%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Pasadena
17.0%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 125,983 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 36.5 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 19.3% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 45.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 10.9% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 17.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Pasadena
$112,470
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Pasadena
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $112,470 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
| Metric | Elk Grove, 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
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 39.1% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.8% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 32.1% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 17.1% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 14.6% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | 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.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Elk Grove +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Elk Grove +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Elk Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elk Grove + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Elk Grove +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 36.1 min | Elk Grove + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, 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 Elk Grove. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Elk Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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