Fort Lauderdale FL vs Pasadena CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Pasadena
42.5
Pasadena +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Pasadena
48.4%
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 67,231 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 42.5 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 51.3% | 48.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 28.8% | 2.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 7.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $1,215,642 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 54.2% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Pasadena
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Pasadena
67.0°F
Pasadena +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 67.0°F | Pasadena + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 21.2 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 24.8 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while fort Lauderdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,297. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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