Montgomery AL 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)
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Pasadena
18.1%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 125,983 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 36.5 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 27.7% | 45.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 63.0% | 18.1% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Pasadena
$218,978
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $218,978 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Pasadena
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Pasadena
2339
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 442 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2339 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Pasadena
39.1%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 39.1% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.8% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 32.1% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 17.1% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 36.1 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
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