Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Pasadena
19.3%
White
Houston
35.5%
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Pasadena
18.1%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Pasadena
25.4%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 125,983 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.5 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 19.3% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 45.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 22.9% | 18.1% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 25.4% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Pasadena
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Pasadena
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Pasadena
2339
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Houston +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 39.1% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.6% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.8% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 32.1% | Houston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Pasadena
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 36.1 min | Houston + |
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 442 in Houston. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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