Pasadena TX vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
125,983
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
36.5
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Pasadena
45.5%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 19.3% | 15.4% | Pasadena + |
| White | 45.5% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 18.1% | 2.7% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 17.0% | 5.3% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 25.4% | 20.8% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
47.4%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,470 | $74,925 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,845 | $49,642 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $60,713 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 3.8% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.2% | 13.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $218,978 | $580,126 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.6% | 46.8% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
442
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2339
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
39.1%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
32.1%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
17.1%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.2% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.1% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salt Lake City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
36.1 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.1 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
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, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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