Jacksonville FL 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)
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
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
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Pasadena
48.4%
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 67,231 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 42.5 | Jacksonville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 51.2% | 48.4% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 30.1% | 2.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 7.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
Pasadena
54.2%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $1,215,642 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 54.2% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Pasadena
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.4% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Pasadena
67.0°F
Pasadena +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | 67.0°F | Pasadena + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 21.2 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | 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 jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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