Fresno 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Fresno
38.0%
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Pasadena
25.4%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 125,983 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.5 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 38.0% | 45.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 6.7% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 25.4% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Pasadena
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Fresno +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 39.1% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.6% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 32.1% | Fresno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.1% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.6% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 36.1 min | Fresno + |
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 Fresno. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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