New Rochelle NY 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)

New Rochelle, NY

New York · Population: 48,198

  • Median HH Income$48,535
  • Median Home Price$920,484
  • Unemployment9.7%
  • Bachelor's+22.8%

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
New Rochelle
48,198
Pasadena
67,231
Pasadena +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Rochelle
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
New Rochelle
40.7
New Rochelle +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
New Rochelle
4.6%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
New Rochelle
66.1%
New Rochelle +
Pasadena
48.4%
Black
New Rochelle
17.8%
New Rochelle +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
New Rochelle
2.3%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
New Rochelle
8.0%
New Rochelle +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
New Rochelle
N/A
Pasadena
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
New Rochelle
$48,535
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
New Rochelle
$30,033
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Rochelle
$77,425
New Rochelle +
Pasadena
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
New Rochelle
9.7%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
New Rochelle
23.7%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Rochelle
22.8%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Rochelle
$920,484
New Rochelle +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
New Rochelle
57.5%
New Rochelle +
Pasadena
54.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
434
New Rochelle +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
1736
New Rochelle +
Pasadena
2388

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
26.6%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
10.6%
New Rochelle +
Pasadena
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Rochelle
13.8%
New Rochelle +
Pasadena
14.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.5%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
14.9%
New Rochelle +
Pasadena
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.3%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Pasadena
21.2 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
8.1 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Rochelle
75.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Rochelle
20.0 min
New Rochelle +
Pasadena
24.8 min

Which City is Right for You?

Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while new Rochelle offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $920,484. On public safety, New Rochelle is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.

Compare More Cities

About New Rochelle & Pasadena