Modesto CA 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)
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
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
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Pasadena
25.4%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 125,983 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 36.5 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 50.8% | 45.5% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 25.4% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Pasadena
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 39.1% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.6% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 32.1% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.1% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.6% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Modesto +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 36.1 min | Modesto + |
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 503 in Modesto. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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