Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Miami Gardens, FL
VS
Pasadena, TX
🏆 Pasadena leads 13 of 22 categories
Miami Gardens
Florida
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$56,071
Violent Crime Index
109⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
111,618
Pasadena
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,698 ✓ Higher
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.
Miami Gardens, FL
Pros
27% less violent crime than Pasadena
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (7.9%)
Milder winters — January highs near 75°F vs 64°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,583/mo
Median income trails Pasadena by $8,627/yr
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Pasadena
Pasadena, TX
Pros
Homes cost $128k less ($171,600 vs $299,700)
Rent averages $424/mo less ($1,159 vs $1,583)
Households earn $8,627 more per year on average
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Miami Gardens
Smaller class sizes — 13.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (566.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (8.9% vs 7.9%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Miami Gardens
Violent Crime
27% lower
414.6 vs 566.1 per 100k
Miami Gardens
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
7.9% vs 8.9% unemployment
Pasadena
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 100.2 vs 111.8 (100 = US avg)
Pasadena
Median Income
$8,627
$64,698 vs $56,071/yr
Pasadena
Median Home Value
$128k less
$171,600 vs $299,700
Pasadena
Summer Heat
3.3°F warmer
July avg high 92.9°F vs 89.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Pasadena, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.8⚠ High | 100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $299,700 | $171,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,583⚠ High | $1,159 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $56,071 | $64,698 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 32.3 min⚠ High | 25.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.5% | 8.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 134⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 109⚠ High ✓ Safer | 149⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 116⚠ High | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (84) | C+ (87) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.4:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 17.7% ✓ Higher | 15.9% |
| High School or Higher | 82.4% ✓ Higher | 73.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | MIAMI-DADE | PASADENA ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 75.2°F ✓ Warmer | 63.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 89.6°F | 92.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 68.3" | 57.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 111,618 | 150,620 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.2 ✓ Older | 32.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.7% ✓ Higher | 53.8% |
| Under 18 | 22.7% | 28.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 16.6% ✓ More | 11.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Miami Gardens's cost of living index is 111.8 vs Pasadena's 100.2 (US average = 100).
Pasadena is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Pasadena leads 13 of 22 categories. Miami Gardens wins 9 and Pasadena wins 13. 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 Miami Gardens to Pasadena or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($299,700 vs $171,600 median home), income ($56,071 vs $64,698), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Miami Gardens, FL and Pasadena, TX are about 946 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.