Pasadena CA vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
67,231
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
42.5
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Pasadena
48.4%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Pasadena
2.2%
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Salt Lake City +
Asian
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Pasadena
7.1%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,231 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 15.4% | Pasadena + |
| White | 48.4% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 2.2% | 2.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Asian | 36.1% | 5.3% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
50.9%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $220,408 | $74,925 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $121,565 | $49,642 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 3.8% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.4% | 13.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 82.4% | 50.9% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,215,642 | $580,126 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 46.8% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
503
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2388
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
10.7%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
9.2%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 29.5% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 18.2% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.3% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.0% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
67.0°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
21.2 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.0°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.2 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
24.8 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while salt Lake City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,126. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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