Pasadena CA vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
67,231
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
42.5
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Pasadena
48.4%
Pasadena +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Pasadena
2.2%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Pasadena
7.1%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,231 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 8.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 48.4% | 41.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 2.2% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 36.1% | 3.2% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$77,230
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $220,408 | $46,628 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $121,565 | $30,451 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 7.9% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.4% | 26.6% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 82.4% | 29.9% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,215,642 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 37.2% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
503
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2388
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 38.0% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 14.3% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 18.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.9% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.3% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 16.6% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
67.0°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.0°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.2 in | 34.3 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
24.8 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester 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%.
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