Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Denton, TX
VS
Pasadena, TX
🏆 Denton leads 13 of 23 categories
Denton
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,921 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
54 ✓ Safer
Population
142,262
Pasadena
Texas
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,698
Violent Crime Index
149⚠ High
Population
150,620 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Denton, TX
Pros
64% less violent crime than Pasadena
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.1 pts lower (4.8%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (204.2 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 40.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $7,223 more per year on average
Cons
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Pasadena
Pasadena, TX
Pros
Homes cost $125k less ($171,600 vs $296,100)
Rent averages $105/mo less ($1,159 vs $1,264)
Milder winters — January highs near 64°F vs 56°F
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Denton
Cons
Violent crime (566.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Denton by $7,223/yr
Higher unemployment (8.9% vs 4.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Denton
Median Income
$7,223
$71,921 vs $64,698/yr
Denton
Violent Crime
64% lower
204.2 vs 566.1 per 100k
Denton
Unemployment
4.1 pp lower
4.8% vs 8.9% unemployment
Denton
Summer Heat
3.0°F warmer
July avg high 95.9°F vs 92.9°F
Pasadena
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 100.2 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Pasadena
Median Home Value
$125k less
$171,600 vs $296,100
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Denton, TX | Pasadena, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $296,100 | $171,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,264 | $1,159 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,921 ✓ Higher | $64,698 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.7 min ✓ Shorter | 25.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 65 ✓ Safer | 134⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 54 ✓ Safer | 149⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 ✓ Safer | 112⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (115) ✓ Better | C+ (87) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.0% ✓ Higher | 15.9% |
| High School or Higher | 91.5% ✓ Higher | 73.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | DENTON ISD | PASADENA ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.8°F | 63.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.9°F ✓ Warmer | 92.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 38.4" ✓ Drier | 57.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 142,262 | 150,620 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 32.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 53.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.5% | 28.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.2% ✓ More | 11.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Denton's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Pasadena's 100.2 (US average = 100).
Pasadena is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Denton leads 13 of 23 categories. Denton wins 13 and Pasadena wins 10. 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 Denton to Pasadena or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($296,100 vs $171,600 median home), income ($71,921 vs $64,698), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Denton, TX and Pasadena, TX are about 273 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.