Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Germantown, MD
VS
Pasadena, TX
🏆 Pasadena leads 11 of 20 categories
Germantown
Maryland
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$109,268 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
90,210
Pasadena
Texas
11
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.
Germantown, MD
Pros
Households earn $44,570 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.7 pts lower (5.2%)
More college-educated — 48.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 93°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $393,700
Higher rents — median is $1,908/mo
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Pasadena
Longer commutes — 33.6 min average each way
Pasadena, TX
Pros
Homes cost $222k less ($171,600 vs $393,700)
Rent averages $749/mo less ($1,159 vs $1,908)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 64°F vs 39°F
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Germantown
Cons
Median income trails Germantown by $44,570/yr
Violent crime (566.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (8.9% vs 5.2%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Germantown
Median Income
$44,570
$109,268 vs $64,698/yr
Germantown
Unemployment
3.7 pp lower
5.2% vs 8.9% unemployment
Pasadena
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 100.2 vs 108.6 (100 = US avg)
Pasadena
Median Home Value
$222k less
$171,600 vs $393,700
Pasadena
Summer Heat
8.6°F warmer
July avg high 92.9°F vs 84.3°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Germantown, MD | Pasadena, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 108.6⚠ High | 100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $393,700⚠ High | $171,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,908⚠ High | $1,159 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $109,268 ✓ Higher | $64,698 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 33.6 min⚠ High | 25.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 16.7% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | — | 134⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 149⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 112⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) ✓ Better | C+ (87) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 48.9% ✓ Higher | 15.9% |
| High School or Higher | 89.5% ✓ Higher | 73.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Montgomery County Public Schools | PASADENA ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 39.1°F | 63.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.3°F | 92.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.7" ✓ Drier | 57.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 90,210 | 150,620 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.9 ✓ Older | 32.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.9% ✓ Higher | 53.8% |
| Under 18 | 24.3% | 28.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 10.7% | 11.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Germantown's cost of living index is 108.6 vs Pasadena's 100.2 (US average = 100).
Pasadena is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Pasadena leads 11 of 20 categories. Germantown wins 9 and Pasadena wins 11. 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 Germantown to Pasadena or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($393,700 vs $171,600 median home), income ($109,268 vs $64,698), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Germantown, MD and Pasadena, TX are about 1,210 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.