Grand Prairie TX 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)
Grand Prairie, TX
Texas · Population: 198,564
- Median HH Income$78,889
- Median Home Price$318,759
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Pasadena
48.4%
Pasadena +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 67,231 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 42.5 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 32.9% | 48.4% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 24.6% | 2.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 7.1% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
Pasadena
54.2%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $1,215,642 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 54.2% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Grand Prairie +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Grand Prairie +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Grand Prairie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Grand Prairie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.4% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Pasadena
21.2 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 21.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pasadena + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 24.8 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while grand Prairie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,759. On public safety, Grand Prairie is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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