Orem UT 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)
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
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
Orem
86,973
Orem +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Orem
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Orem
10.5%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Pasadena
48.4%
Black
Orem
1.9%
Pasadena
2.2%
Pasadena +
Asian
Orem
1.6%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Orem
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 86,973 | 67,231 | Orem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 42.5 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 77.1% | 48.4% | Orem + |
| Black | 1.9% | 2.2% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 7.1% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Orem
$70,053
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Orem
$33,579
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Orem
$60,713
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Orem
4.0%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Orem
12.7%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Orem
25.6%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,053 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.6% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Orem
$509,396
Orem +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
Pasadena
54.2%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $509,396 | $1,215,642 | Orem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.9% | 54.2% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
245
Orem +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
1931
Orem +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Orem, UT | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 503 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2388 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
30.3%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Pasadena
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Orem
17.1%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Orem
11.5%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Pasadena
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
Pasadena
9.2%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 15.4% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 9.2% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
Pasadena
21.2 in
| Metric | Orem, UT | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 67.0°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.3 in | 21.2 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Orem
75.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Orem, UT | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
Pasadena
24.8 min
| Metric | Orem, UT | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 24.8 min | Orem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while orem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $509,396. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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