Madison WI 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)
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 125,983 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 36.5 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 73.0% | 45.5% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Pasadena
3.1%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Pasadena
47.4%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.1% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 47.4% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Pasadena
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Pasadena
2339
| Metric | Madison, WI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 442 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2339 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Pasadena
17.1%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 39.1% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 14.6% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 17.8% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 32.1% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 17.1% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 14.6% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Pasadena
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Madison, WI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 36.1 min | Madison + |
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, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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