Newark NJ 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Newark
16.5%
Pasadena
48.4%
Pasadena +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 67,231 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 42.5 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 16.5% | 48.4% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 46.7% | 2.2% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 7.1% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Pasadena
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $1,215,642 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 54.2% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 503 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2388 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Pasadena
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.4% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 67.0°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 21.2 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 24.8 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while newark offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $482,675. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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
New York, NY vs Newark, NJLos Angeles, CA vs Newark, NJChicago, IL vs Newark, NJHouston, TX vs Newark, NJNewark, NJ vs Phoenix, AZNewark, NJ vs Philadelphia, PA