Long Beach 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)
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
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
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Pasadena
19.3%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Pasadena
25.4%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 125,983 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 36.5 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 19.3% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 45.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 11.9% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 25.4% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Pasadena
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
| Metric | Long Beach, 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
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 39.1% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.6% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.8% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 32.1% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.1% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.6% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Long Beach +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Long Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
Long Beach +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 36.1 min | Long Beach + |
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 Long Beach. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Long Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
Compare More Cities
Long Beach, CA vs New York, NYLong Beach, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Long Beach, CAHouston, TX vs Long Beach, CALong Beach, CA vs Phoenix, AZLong Beach, CA vs Philadelphia, PA