Pasadena TX vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
125,983
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
36.5
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
Salem
12.2%
White
Pasadena
45.5%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 19.3% | 12.2% | Pasadena + |
| White | 45.5% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 18.1% | 1.6% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 17.0% | 3.5% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 25.4% | 23.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,470 | $71,900 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,845 | $36,477 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,691 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 5.3% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.2% | 14.7% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 31.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $218,978 | $438,754 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.6% | 55.7% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
442
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3001 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
39.1%
Pasadena +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
32.1%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
17.1%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 41.4% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.1% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
36.1 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.1 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
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, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
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