Pasadena CA vs Sacramento CA — 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
67,231
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
42.5
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
Sacramento
21.3%
White
Pasadena
48.4%
Pasadena +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Pasadena
2.2%
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Asian
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Sacramento
19.7%
Hispanic
Pasadena
7.1%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,231 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 35.7 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 21.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 48.4% | 36.8% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 2.2% | 12.4% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 36.1% | 19.7% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Sacramento
$83,753
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Sacramento
$42,300
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$77,230
Sacramento
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Sacramento
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
Sacramento
36.4%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $220,408 | $83,753 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $121,565 | $42,300 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 6.2% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.4% | 14.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 82.4% | 36.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Sacramento
$480,548
Sacramento +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,215,642 | $480,548 | Sacramento + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 51.5% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
503
Sacramento
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2388
Sacramento
2388
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Sacramento
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Sacramento
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Sacramento
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
15.4%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
Sacramento
11.9%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 30.0% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.2% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 17.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.0% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.9% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
67.0°F
Sacramento
61.0°F
Sacramento +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
21.2 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.0°F | 61.0°F | Sacramento + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.2 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 27.0 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while sacramento offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $480,548. On public safety, Sacramento is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Sacramento 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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