Pasadena CA vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
67,231
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
42.5
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
Reno
16.1%
White
Pasadena
48.4%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Pasadena
2.2%
Reno
3.2%
Reno +
Asian
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Reno
7.0%
Hispanic
Pasadena
7.1%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,231 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 37.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 16.1% | Pasadena + |
| White | 48.4% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 2.2% | 3.2% | Reno + |
| Asian | 36.1% | 7.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Reno
$78,448
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Reno
$45,180
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Reno
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $220,408 | $78,448 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $121,565 | $45,180 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 5.0% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.4% | 12.5% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 82.4% | 35.7% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Reno
$570,934
Reno +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,215,642 | $570,934 | Reno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 49.4% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
503
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2388
Pasadena +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Reno
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
10.7%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 28.4% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 18.5% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.0% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 18.9% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.8% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
67.0°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
21.2 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.0°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.2 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
24.8 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while reno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,934. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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