Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Pasadena
18.1%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 125,983 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.5 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 25.0% | 45.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 62.9% | 18.1% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Pasadena
$218,978
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $218,978 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Pasadena
39.1%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 39.1% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 17.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 32.1% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.1% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 36.1 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
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