Pasadena CA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
67,231
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
42.5
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Pasadena
48.4%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Pasadena
2.2%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Pasadena
7.1%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,231 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 9.1% | Pasadena + |
| White | 48.4% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 2.2% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 36.1% | 7.2% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $220,408 | $90,685 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $121,565 | $47,372 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 4.3% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.4% | 8.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 82.4% | 40.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
54.2%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,215,642 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
503
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2388
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 36.5% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.8% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 16.7% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.3% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.6% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.1% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
67.0°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
21.2 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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 +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 25.0 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Pasadena, CALos Angeles, CA vs Pasadena, CAChicago, IL vs Pasadena, CAHouston, TX vs Pasadena, CAPasadena, CA vs Phoenix, AZPasadena, CA vs Philadelphia, PA