Pasadena CA vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
67,231
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
42.5
Stamford
38.2
Stamford +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
Stamford
31.8%
White
Pasadena
48.4%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
Pasadena
2.2%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
Pasadena
7.1%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,231 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 38.2 | Stamford + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 31.8% | Pasadena + |
| White | 48.4% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 2.2% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 36.1% | 7.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Stamford
$107,474
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Stamford
$64,382
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$77,230
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Stamford
9.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
Stamford
51.7%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $220,408 | $107,474 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $121,565 | $64,382 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 4.9% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.4% | 9.5% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 82.4% | 51.7% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Stamford
$708,498
Stamford +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,215,642 | $708,498 | Stamford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 47.5% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
503
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2388
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Stamford
25.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
10.7%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
14.9%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
9.2%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 25.5% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.3% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.4% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
67.0°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.0°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.2 in | 53.2 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 30.1 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while stamford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $708,498. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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