Pasadena CA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
67,231
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
42.5
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
Washington
13.3%
White
Pasadena
48.4%
Pasadena +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Pasadena
2.2%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Pasadena
7.1%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,231 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 13.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 48.4% | 39.1% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 2.2% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 36.1% | 4.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Washington
$106,287
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Washington
$75,253
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$77,230
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
Washington
63.6%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $220,408 | $106,287 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $121,565 | $75,253 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 6.5% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.4% | 14.5% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 82.4% | 63.6% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Washington
$580,173
Washington +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,215,642 | $580,173 | Washington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 41.1% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
503
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2388
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Washington
24.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
10.7%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
14.9%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
8.2%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
Washington
9.7%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 24.6% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 24.0% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.7% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
67.0°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
21.2 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Washington, DC | 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 washington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,173. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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