Pasadena TX vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
125,983
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
36.5
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
19.3%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Pasadena
25.4%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 19.3% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 45.5% | 21.8% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 18.1% | 1.4% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 17.0% | 5.7% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 25.4% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Salinas
$89,150
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$63,758
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,470 | $89,150 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,845 | $28,813 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 4.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.2% | 14.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 15.5% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $218,978 | $751,711 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.6% | 47.0% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
39.1%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
32.1%
Salinas
22.4%
Salinas +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
17.1%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.2% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.1% | 22.4% | Salinas + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
36.1 min
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.1 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
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 503 in Salinas. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Pasadena, TXLos Angeles, CA vs Pasadena, TXChicago, IL vs Pasadena, TXHouston, TX vs Pasadena, TXPasadena, TX vs Phoenix, AZPasadena, TX vs Philadelphia, PA