Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Pasadena
48.4%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 67,231 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 42.5 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 53.6% | 48.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 2.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 7.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Pasadena
54.2%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $1,215,642 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 54.2% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 503 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2388 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Pasadena
24.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Pasadena
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Pasadena
14.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Pasadena
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Pasadena
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Pasadena
9.2%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 21.2 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pasadena + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 24.8 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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).
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