Pasadena TX vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
125,983
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Pasadena
45.5%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 49.2 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 19.3% | 11.2% | Pasadena + |
| White | 45.5% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 18.1% | 2.0% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 17.0% | 5.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 25.4% | 9.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Scottsdale
$107,372
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$49,845
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Scottsdale
3.4%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Scottsdale
7.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
47.4%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,470 | $107,372 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,845 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 3.4% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.2% | 7.1% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
Scottsdale
67.6%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $218,978 | $858,307 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.6% | 67.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2339
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
39.1%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
17.8%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
32.1%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
17.1%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.1% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Scottsdale
10.3 in
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
36.1 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.1 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
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 450 in Scottsdale. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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