Pasadena TX vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
125,983
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
36.5
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
19.3%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Pasadena
45.5%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Pasadena
17.0%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Pasadena
25.4%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 19.3% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 45.5% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 18.1% | 5.7% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 17.0% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 25.4% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
San Diego
$104,321
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$49,845
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$63,758
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
San Diego
11.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
47.4%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,470 | $104,321 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,845 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 5.9% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.2% | 11.1% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $218,978 | $1,006,261 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.6% | 47.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | San Diego, 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%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
17.8%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
32.1%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
17.1%
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.1% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.9% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
San Diego
12.3 in
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
55.0%
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
36.1 min
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.1 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
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 San Diego. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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