Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Pasadena
18.1%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 125,983 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 36.5 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 53.6% | 45.5% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 18.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Pasadena
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Pasadena
2339
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 442 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2339 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Pasadena
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 36.1 min | Indianapolis + |
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, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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