Milwaukee 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)
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
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
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Pasadena
18.1%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 125,983 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 36.5 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 36.5% | 45.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 38.6% | 18.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Pasadena
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Pasadena
2339
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 442 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2339 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Pasadena
39.1%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 39.1% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 32.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Pasadena
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Milwaukee, 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
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 36.1 min | Milwaukee + |
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, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. 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, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
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