Lancaster CA 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)
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
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
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Pasadena
18.1%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Pasadena
25.4%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 125,983 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 36.5 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 35.5% | 45.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 21.4% | 18.1% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 25.4% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Pasadena
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 39.1% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 17.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 32.1% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.1% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.6% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Lancaster +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 36.1 min | Lancaster + |
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 503 in Lancaster. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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