Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lancaster, CA
VS
Pasadena, TX
🏆 Pasadena leads 11 of 21 categories
Lancaster
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,367 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
220⚠ High
Population
171,465 ✓ Larger
Pasadena
Texas
11
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.
Lancaster, CA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (7.5%)
Households earn $6,669 more per year on average
More college-educated — 19.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $368,800
Higher rents — median is $1,576/mo
Violent crime (834.7/100k) 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 $197k less ($171,600 vs $368,800)
32% less violent crime than Lancaster
Rent averages $417/mo less ($1,159 vs $1,576)
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Lancaster
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 64°F vs 59°F
Cons
Violent crime (566.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (8.9% vs 7.5%)
Median income trails Lancaster by $6,669/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Lancaster
Median Income
$6,669
$71,367 vs $64,698/yr
Lancaster
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
7.5% vs 8.9% unemployment
Lancaster
Summer Heat
4.7°F warmer
July avg high 97.6°F vs 92.9°F
Pasadena
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 100.2 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Pasadena
Violent Crime
32% lower
566.1 vs 834.7 per 100k
Pasadena
Median Home Value
$197k less
$171,600 vs $368,800
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lancaster, 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 | $368,800⚠ High | $171,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,576⚠ High | $1,159 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,367 ✓ Higher | $64,698 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.9 min⚠ High | 25.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.6% | 8.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 168⚠ High | 134⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 220⚠ High | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 91 ✓ Safer | 112⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (63) | C+ (87) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 22.6:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.4% ✓ Higher | 15.9% |
| High School or Higher | 81.2% ✓ Higher | 73.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lancaster Elementary | PASADENA ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.7°F | 63.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 97.6°F ✓ Warmer | 92.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 6.8" ✓ Drier | 57.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 171,465 ✓ Larger | 150,620 |
| Median Age | 33.6 ✓ Older | 32.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% ✓ Higher | 53.8% |
| Under 18 | 27.8% | 28.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.2% | 11.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lancaster'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 21 decided categories above, Pasadena leads 11 of 21 categories. Lancaster wins 10 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 Lancaster to Pasadena or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($368,800 vs $171,600 median home), income ($71,367 vs $64,698), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lancaster, CA and Pasadena, TX are about 1,387 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.