Pasadena TX vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
125,983
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Pasadena
45.5%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.3 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 19.3% | 12.2% | Pasadena + |
| White | 45.5% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 18.1% | 10.5% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 17.0% | 8.8% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 25.4% | 13.1% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$63,758
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,470 | $83,857 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,845 | $44,756 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 5.3% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.2% | 12.0% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 33.5% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $218,978 | $496,966 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.6% | 56.5% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
442
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
39.1%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
32.1%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
17.1%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.7% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.1% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
36.1 min
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.1 min | 31.1 min | Tacoma + |
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, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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