Pasadena TX vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
125,983
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
36.5
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Pasadena
45.5%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Pasadena
18.1%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 19.3% | 10.7% | Pasadena + |
| White | 45.5% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 18.1% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 17.0% | 2.3% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 25.4% | 17.9% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,470 | $57,673 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,845 | $35,074 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 5.9% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.2% | 17.9% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 37.2% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $218,978 | $419,326 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.6% | 54.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
442
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2339
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
39.1%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
17.8%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
32.1%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
17.1%
Pasadena +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.1% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 17.5% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
36.1 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.1 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
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, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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