Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Anaheim, CA
VS
Pasadena, TX
🏆 Pasadena leads 12 of 22 categories
Anaheim
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$88,538 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
157⚠ High
Population
347,111 ✓ Larger
Pasadena
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,698
Violent Crime Index
149⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
150,620
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Anaheim, CA
Pros
Households earn $23,840 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.5 pts lower (5.4%)
More college-educated — 28.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 64°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 93°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $713,600
Higher rents — median is $1,958/mo
Violent crime (596.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Pasadena, TX
Pros
Homes cost $542k less ($171,600 vs $713,600)
Rent averages $799/mo less ($1,159 vs $1,958)
5% less violent crime than Anaheim
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Anaheim
Smaller class sizes — 13.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Anaheim by $23,840/yr
Violent crime (566.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (8.9% vs 5.4%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Anaheim
Median Income
$23,840
$88,538 vs $64,698/yr
Anaheim
Unemployment
3.5 pp lower
5.4% vs 8.9% unemployment
Pasadena
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 100.2 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Pasadena
Violent Crime
5% lower
566.1 vs 596.2 per 100k
Pasadena
Median Home Value
$542k less
$171,600 vs $713,600
Pasadena
Summer Heat
6.1°F warmer
July avg high 92.9°F vs 86.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Pasadena, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $713,600⚠ High | $171,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,958⚠ High | $1,159 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $88,538 ✓ Higher | $64,698 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.4 min⚠ High | 25.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.8% | 8.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 135⚠ High | 134⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 157⚠ High | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 102⚠ High ✓ Safer | 112⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (74) | C+ (87) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 23.0:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.1% ✓ Higher | 15.9% |
| High School or Higher | 77.8% ✓ Higher | 73.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Anaheim Elementary | PASADENA ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 71.0°F ✓ Warmer | 63.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 86.8°F | 92.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 14.2" ✓ Drier | 57.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 347,111 ✓ Larger | 150,620 |
| Median Age | 35.4 ✓ Older | 32.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 53.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.9% | 28.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.2% ✓ More | 11.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Anaheim's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Pasadena's 100.2 (US average = 100).
Pasadena is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Pasadena leads 12 of 22 categories. Anaheim wins 10 and Pasadena wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Anaheim to Pasadena or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($713,600 vs $171,600 median home), income ($88,538 vs $64,698), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Anaheim, CA and Pasadena, TX are about 1,357 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.