Pasadena CA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
67,231
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
42.5
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Pasadena
48.4%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Pasadena
2.2%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Seattle
17.2%
Hispanic
Pasadena
7.1%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,231 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 19.9% | Pasadena + |
| White | 48.4% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 2.2% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 36.1% | 17.2% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Seattle
$121,984
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Seattle
$82,508
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Seattle
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
Seattle
67.5%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $220,408 | $121,984 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $121,565 | $82,508 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.4% | 9.9% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 82.4% | 67.5% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Seattle
$871,599
Seattle +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,215,642 | $871,599 | Seattle + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 44.3% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
503
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2388
Pasadena +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
24.2%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
10.7%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
8.2%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
9.2%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 15.3% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 19.0% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
67.0°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.0°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.2 in | 37.5 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 28.8 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while seattle offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $871,599. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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