Pasadena CA vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
67,231
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
42.5
Surprise
41.6
Surprise +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Pasadena
48.4%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Pasadena
2.2%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Pasadena
7.1%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,231 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 41.6 | Surprise + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 6.8% | Pasadena + |
| White | 48.4% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 2.2% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 36.1% | 2.6% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Surprise
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $220,408 | $93,371 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $121,565 | $39,604 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.4% | 7.8% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 82.4% | 31.0% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
54.2%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,215,642 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
503
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2388
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
14.9%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
15.4%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
Surprise
10.4%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 29.4% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.2% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.5% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.4% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
67.0°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
21.2 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 32.8 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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