Pasadena CA vs Spokane Valley 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%

Spokane Valley, WA

Washington · Population: 105,460

  • Median HH Income$70,722
  • Median Home Price$414,734
  • Unemployment5.9%
  • Bachelor's+24.8%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Pasadena
67,231
Spokane Valley
105,460
Spokane Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
42.5
Spokane Valley
37.6
Spokane Valley +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Pasadena
48.4%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Pasadena
2.2%
Pasadena +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Pasadena
7.1%
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spokane Valley +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
Spokane Valley
24.8%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Spokane Valley +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
54.2%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
503
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2388
Pasadena +
Spokane Valley
3409

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
10.7%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
Spokane Valley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
8.2%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
Spokane Valley
12.4%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
67.0°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
21.2 in
Spokane Valley
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
24.8 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +

Which City is Right for You?

Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while spokane Valley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,734. On public safety, Spokane Valley 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 Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.

Compare More Cities

About Pasadena & Spokane Valley