Glendale 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)

Glendale, CA

California · Population: 192,270

  • Median HH Income$84,262
  • Median Home Price$1,205,826
  • Unemployment8.2%
  • Bachelor's+45.5%

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
Glendale
192,270
Glendale +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
Pasadena
19.3%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Pasadena
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Pasadena
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Glendale +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
Pasadena
14.6%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Pasadena
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Glendale +
Pasadena
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
30.2 min
Glendale +
Pasadena
36.1 min

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 Glendale. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.

Compare More Cities

About Glendale & Pasadena