Pasadena CA vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
67,231
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
42.5
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Pasadena
48.4%
Pasadena +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Pasadena
2.2%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Pasadena
7.1%
Pasadena +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,231 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 36.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 6.6% | Pasadena + |
| White | 48.4% | 45.7% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 2.2% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 36.1% | 3.4% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 5.1% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
St. Louis
40.2%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $220,408 | $55,279 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $121,565 | $38,947 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 5.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.4% | 19.8% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 82.4% | 40.2% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$1,215,642
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,215,642 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 45.4% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
503
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2388
Pasadena +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
St. Louis
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 36.8% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 13.2% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 18.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.4% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 17.9% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 16.8% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
67.0°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
21.2 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
75.0%
Pasadena +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Pasadena + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
24.8 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 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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