Pasadena TX vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
125,983
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
36.5
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Pasadena
45.5%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Pasadena
25.4%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 19.3% | 13.7% | Pasadena + |
| White | 45.5% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 18.1% | 5.0% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 17.0% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 25.4% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,470 | $54,546 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,845 | $31,152 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 6.4% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.2% | 18.8% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 30.2% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $218,978 | $324,946 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.6% | 51.7% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2339
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
39.1%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
32.1%
Tucson
15.7%
Tucson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
17.1%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.3% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.1% | 15.7% | Tucson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
36.1 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.1 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
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 Tucson. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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