Pasadena TX vs Phoenix 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, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
125,983
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
36.5
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Pasadena
45.5%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Pasadena
25.4%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.3% | 19.0% | Pasadena + |
| White | 45.5% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 18.1% | 7.8% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 17.0% | 3.9% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 25.4% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,470 | $77,041 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,845 | $40,309 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 5.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.2% | 14.3% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 32.3% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $218,978 | $411,323 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.6% | 57.1% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2339
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
39.1%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
17.8%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
32.1%
Phoenix
17.3%
Phoenix +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
17.1%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.1% | 17.3% | Phoenix + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
36.1 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.1 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
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, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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