Pasadena CA vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
67,231
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
42.5
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
San Antonio
14.3%
White
Pasadena
48.4%
Pasadena +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Pasadena
2.2%
San Antonio
7.0%
San Antonio +
Asian
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Pasadena
7.1%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,231 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 14.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 48.4% | 48.3% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 2.2% | 7.0% | San Antonio + |
| Asian | 36.1% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
San Antonio
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $220,408 | $62,917 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $121,565 | $32,983 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 5.8% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.4% | 17.1% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 82.4% | 28.7% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$1,215,642
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,215,642 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 52.4% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
503
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2388
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | San Antonio + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
San Antonio
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
San Antonio
13.0%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 34.9% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 15.2% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 17.2% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 24.5% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.0% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.0% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
67.0°F
Pasadena +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
San Antonio
34.9 in
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.0°F | 68.5°F | Pasadena + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.2 in | 34.9 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
75.0%
Pasadena +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Pasadena + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 26.5 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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