Pasadena TX vs Philadelphia PA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
125,983
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
36.5
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Pasadena
18.1%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 19.3% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
| White | 45.5% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 18.1% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 17.0% | 7.8% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 25.4% | 15.2% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$63,758
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,470 | $60,698 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,845 | $37,669 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 8.4% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.2% | 22.0% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 34.6% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $218,978 | $233,814 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.6% | 52.3% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
442
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2339
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
39.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
17.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
32.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
17.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.1% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
36.1 min
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.1 min | 34.5 min | Philadelphia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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