Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chicago, IL
VS
Pasadena, TX
🏆 Pasadena leads 12 of 23 categories
Chicago
Illinois
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,673 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
142⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
2,721,914 ✓ Larger
Pasadena
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,698
Violent Crime Index
149⚠ High
Population
150,620
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chicago, IL
Pros
5% less violent crime than Pasadena
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (8.2%)
Households earn $6,975 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 93°F
Cons
Violent crime (539.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3472.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Longer commutes — 34.1 min average each way
Cost of living runs 2% higher than Pasadena
Pasadena, TX
Pros
Homes cost $133k less ($171,600 vs $304,500)
Milder winters — January highs near 64°F vs 32°F
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Rent averages $155/mo less ($1,159 vs $1,314)
2% cheaper overall cost of living than Chicago
Cons
Violent crime (566.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (8.9% vs 8.2%)
Median income trails Chicago by $6,975/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Chicago
Median Income
$6,975
$71,673 vs $64,698/yr
Chicago
Violent Crime
5% lower
539.8 vs 566.1 per 100k
Chicago
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
8.2% vs 8.9% unemployment
Pasadena
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 100.2 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Pasadena
Median Home Value
$133k less
$171,600 vs $304,500
Pasadena
Summer Heat
11.9°F warmer
July avg high 92.9°F vs 81.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pasadena, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $304,500 | $171,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,314 | $1,159 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,673 ✓ Higher | $64,698 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.1 min⚠ High | 25.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 15.6% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 151⚠ High | 134⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 142⚠ High ✓ Safer | 149⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 165⚠ High | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (118) ✓ Better | C+ (87) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 15.9% |
| High School or Higher | 86.6% ✓ Higher | 73.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | PASADENA ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.9°F | 63.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.0°F | 92.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.4" ✓ Drier | 57.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 38.8" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 2,721,914 ✓ Larger | 150,620 |
| Median Age | 35.3 ✓ Older | 32.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.6% | 53.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 28.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.3% ✓ More | 11.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicago's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Pasadena's 100.2 (US average = 100).
Pasadena is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Pasadena leads 12 of 23 categories. Chicago wins 11 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 Chicago to Pasadena or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($304,500 vs $171,600 median home), income ($71,673 vs $64,698), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chicago, IL and Pasadena, TX are about 939 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.