Escondido 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Pasadena
125,983
Pasadena +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Pasadena
19.3%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Pasadena
17.0%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Pasadena
25.4%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 125,983 | Pasadena + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 36.5 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 19.3% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 45.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 0.6% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 17.0% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 25.4% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Pasadena
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
| Metric | Escondido, 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
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Escondido +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Escondido +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Escondido +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Escondido +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 39.1% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 14.6% | Escondido + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 32.1% | Escondido + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.1% | Escondido + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.6% | Escondido + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Escondido +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Escondido +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Escondido + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Escondido + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
Escondido +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 36.1 min | Escondido + |
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 Escondido. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Escondido has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
Compare More Cities
Escondido, CA vs New York, NYEscondido, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Escondido, CAEscondido, CA vs Houston, TXEscondido, CA vs Phoenix, AZEscondido, CA vs Philadelphia, PA