Pasadena TX vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
125,983
Pasadena +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Pasadena
45.5%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 118,578 | Pasadena + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.5 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 19.3% | 5.7% | Pasadena + |
| White | 45.5% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 18.1% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 17.0% | 1.3% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 25.4% | 8.9% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
Winston-Salem
45.8%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,470 | $63,900 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,845 | $46,062 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 4.6% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.2% | 16.3% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 45.8% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $218,978 | $265,013 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.6% | 46.8% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
442
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2339
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
39.1%
Pasadena +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
17.8%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
32.1%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
17.1%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 42.7% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.1% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
36.1 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.1 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
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, Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
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