Pasadena TX vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
125,983
Pasadena +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Pasadena
19.3%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Pasadena
45.5%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Santa Ana
9.8%
Hispanic
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 91,535 | Pasadena + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 42.9 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 19.3% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 45.5% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 18.1% | 4.9% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 17.0% | 9.8% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 25.4% | 16.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Santa Ana
$109,739
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$49,845
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$63,758
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
47.4%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,470 | $109,739 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,845 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 6.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.2% | 11.6% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $218,978 | $865,610 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.6% | 28.8% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
32.1%
Santa Ana
20.7%
Santa Ana +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
17.1%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.7% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.1% | 20.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
36.1 min
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.1 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
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 Santa Ana. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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