Pasadena TX vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
125,983
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
36.5
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
San Antonio
14.3%
White
Pasadena
45.5%
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Black
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Pasadena
25.4%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 19.3% | 14.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 45.5% | 48.3% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 18.1% | 7.0% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 17.0% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 25.4% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$63,758
San Antonio
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,470 | $62,917 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,845 | $32,983 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 5.8% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.2% | 17.1% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 28.7% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
San Antonio
$251,035
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $218,978 | $251,035 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.6% | 52.4% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
442
San Antonio
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2339
San Antonio
2339
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
39.1%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
17.8%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
32.1%
San Antonio
24.5%
San Antonio +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
17.1%
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.2% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.1% | 24.5% | San Antonio + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
San Antonio
34.9 in
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
55.0%
San Antonio
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
36.1 min
San Antonio
26.5 min
San Antonio +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.1 min | 26.5 min | San Antonio + |
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, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and San Antonio has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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