Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Pasadena
18.1%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 125,983 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 36.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 59.2% | 45.5% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 18.1% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Pasadena
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Pasadena
47.4%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 47.4% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Pasadena
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Pasadena
2339
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Pasadena
17.1%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 39.1% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 14.6% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 17.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 32.1% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 17.1% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.6% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 36.1 min | Gainesville + |
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, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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