Pasadena CA vs Pittsburgh PA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
67,231
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
42.5
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Pasadena
48.4%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Pasadena
2.2%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Hispanic
Pasadena
7.1%
Pasadena +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,231 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 9.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 48.4% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 2.2% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 36.1% | 5.8% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
Pittsburgh
47.8%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $220,408 | $64,137 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $121,565 | $43,590 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 5.9% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.4% | 19.5% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 82.4% | 47.8% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,215,642 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 47.2% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
503
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2388
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
24.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
10.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
14.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
8.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
15.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
9.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
67.0°F
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.0°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.2 in | 39.3 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
75.0%
Pasadena +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Pasadena + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 25.0 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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