Irving 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)
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
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
Irving
255,036
Irving +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irving
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
Pasadena
36.3%
White
Irving
36.7%
Pasadena
48.4%
Pasadena +
Black
Irving
12.9%
Irving +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Irving
22.6%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Irving
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Irving, TX | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 67,231 | Irving + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 42.5 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 41.9% | 36.3% | Irving + |
| White | 36.7% | 48.4% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 12.9% | 2.2% | Irving + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 43.0% | 7.1% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irving
$79,641
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Irving
$39,462
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irving
$63,758
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Irving
4.3%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Irving
11.0%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Irving
41.6%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,641 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,462 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.6% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irving
$344,888
Irving +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Irving
38.3%
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,888 | $1,215,642 | Irving + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.3% | 54.2% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
442
Irving +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
2339
Irving +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Irving, TX | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Irving + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Irving + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
31.6%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
10.5%
Irving +
Pasadena
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irving
16.2%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irving
20.6%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irving
17.0%
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irving
11.2%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.6% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.7% | Irving + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.4% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Pasadena
21.2 in
| Metric | Irving, 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.)
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irving
55.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Irving, 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
Irving
26.0 min
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 24.8 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while irving offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,888. On public safety, Irving 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%.
Compare More Cities
Irving, TX vs New York, NYIrving, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Irving, TXHouston, TX vs Irving, TXIrving, TX vs Phoenix, AZIrving, TX vs Philadelphia, PA