McKinney TX 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)
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
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
McKinney
148,848
McKinney +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
McKinney
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
McKinney
33.4
McKinney +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
Pasadena
19.3%
White
McKinney
37.8%
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Black
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Pasadena
18.1%
Asian
McKinney
3.0%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Pasadena
25.4%
Spanish at Home
McKinney
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,848 | 125,983 | McKinney + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 36.5 | McKinney + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 19.3% | McKinney + |
| White | 37.8% | 45.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 24.7% | 18.1% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 44.7% | 25.4% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
McKinney
$71,843
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
McKinney
$29,291
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
McKinney
$63,758
Pasadena
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
McKinney
4.8%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
McKinney
12.4%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
McKinney
18.5%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,843 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,291 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.5% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
McKinney
$487,346
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
McKinney
63.2%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $487,346 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
442
Pasadena
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
2339
Pasadena
2339
Tie
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
McKinney
33.9%
McKinney +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
McKinney
18.3%
Pasadena
17.1%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 39.1% | McKinney + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 14.6% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.7% | 17.8% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 32.1% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 17.1% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.6% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
64.2°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
40.0 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
McKinney
55.0%
Pasadena
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
McKinney
35.6 min
McKinney +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.6 min | 36.1 min | McKinney + |
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 442 in McKinney. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, McKinney scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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