Fullerton 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)
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
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
Fullerton
141,278
Fullerton +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Fullerton +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
Pasadena
19.3%
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Pasadena
17.0%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
Pasadena
25.4%
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 125,983 | Fullerton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 36.5 | Fullerton + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 19.3% | Fullerton + |
| White | 43.0% | 45.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 2.1% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 17.0% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 25.4% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Pasadena
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
| Metric | Fullerton, 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
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Fullerton +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
Fullerton +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Fullerton +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | 39.1% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.6% | Fullerton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.8% | Fullerton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 32.1% | Fullerton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 17.1% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.6% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Fullerton +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
Fullerton +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Fullerton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fullerton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fullerton
32.5 min
Fullerton +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 36.1 min | Fullerton + |
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 Fullerton. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Fullerton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
Compare More Cities
Fullerton, CA vs New York, NYFullerton, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fullerton, CAFullerton, CA vs Houston, TXFullerton, CA vs Phoenix, AZFullerton, CA vs Philadelphia, PA