Pasadena TX vs Surprise 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
125,983
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Pasadena
45.5%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 41.6 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 19.3% | 6.8% | Pasadena + |
| White | 45.5% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 18.1% | 4.8% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 17.0% | 2.6% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 25.4% | 19.2% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Surprise
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,470 | $93,371 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,845 | $39,604 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.2% | 7.8% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 31.0% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
76.6%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $218,978 | $422,520 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.6% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2339
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
39.1%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
17.8%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
32.1%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
17.1%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.1% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
36.1 min
Surprise
32.8 min
Surprise +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.1 min | 32.8 min | Surprise + |
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 Surprise. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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