Gainesville 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Pasadena
48.4%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 67,231 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 42.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 59.2% | 48.4% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 2.2% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 7.1% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $1,215,642 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 54.2% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Pasadena
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 10.7% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.4% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Pasadena
67.0°F
Pasadena +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 67.0°F | Pasadena + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 21.2 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Pasadena
24.8 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 24.8 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville 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 Gainesville 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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