Pasadena CA vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
67,231
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
42.5
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
Salem
12.2%
White
Pasadena
48.4%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Pasadena
2.2%
Pasadena +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Pasadena
7.1%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,231 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 12.2% | Pasadena + |
| White | 48.4% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 2.2% | 1.6% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 36.1% | 3.5% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $220,408 | $71,900 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $121,565 | $36,477 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 5.3% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.4% | 14.7% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 82.4% | 31.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
54.2%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,215,642 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
503
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2388
Pasadena +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 41.4% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 18.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.6% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.2% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.4% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
67.0°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.0°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.2 in | 39.7 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
75.0%
Pasadena +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Pasadena + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
24.8 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Pasadena, CALos Angeles, CA vs Pasadena, CAChicago, IL vs Pasadena, CAHouston, TX vs Pasadena, CAPasadena, CA vs Phoenix, AZPasadena, CA vs Philadelphia, PA