Miami FL vs Pasadena CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
Miami +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
Pasadena
36.3%
White
Miami
34.2%
Pasadena
48.4%
Pasadena +
Black
Miami
13.7%
Miami +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Miami
1.6%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 67,231 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 42.5 | Miami + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 36.3% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 48.4% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 13.7% | 2.2% | Miami + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 7.1% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
Miami +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $1,215,642 | Miami + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 54.2% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Miami +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Miami +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Miami, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Pasadena
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 10.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.4% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
Pasadena
67.0°F
Pasadena +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | 67.0°F | Pasadena + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | 21.2 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 24.8 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while miami offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,996. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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