Head-to-Head · City Comparison
New Haven, CT
VS
Pasadena, TX
🏆 Pasadena leads 13 of 23 categories
New Haven
Connecticut
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,305
Violent Crime Index
141⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
135,736
Pasadena
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High
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.
New Haven, CT
Pros
6% less violent crime than Pasadena
More college-educated — 38.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (7.8%)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 93°F
Cons
Violent crime (534.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,402/mo
Median income trails Pasadena by $10,393/yr
Property crime (3587.1/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Pasadena, TX
Pros
Homes cost $65k less ($171,600 vs $236,500)
Rent averages $243/mo less ($1,159 vs $1,402)
Households earn $10,393 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 64°F vs 38°F
Cons
Violent crime (566.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (8.9% vs 7.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
New Haven
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 98.6 vs 100.2 (100 = US avg)
New Haven
Violent Crime
6% lower
534.8 vs 566.1 per 100k
New Haven
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
7.8% vs 8.9% unemployment
Pasadena
Median Income
$10,393
$64,698 vs $54,305/yr
Pasadena
Median Home Value
$65k less
$171,600 vs $236,500
Pasadena
Summer Heat
10.8°F warmer
July avg high 92.9°F vs 82.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Pasadena, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.6 ✓ Cheaper | 100.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $236,500 | $171,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,402⚠ High | $1,159 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $54,305 | $64,698 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.7 min ✓ Shorter | 25.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.6% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 153⚠ High | 134⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High ✓ Safer | 149⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 171⚠ High | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) ✓ Better | C+ (87) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 38.5% ✓ Higher | 15.9% |
| High School or Higher | 85.7% ✓ Higher | 73.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | New Haven School District | PASADENA ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.1°F | 63.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.1°F | 92.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.8" ✓ Drier | 57.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 135,736 | 150,620 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 32.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.6% | 53.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.0% | 28.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 10.8% | 11.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
New Haven's cost of living index is 98.6 vs Pasadena's 100.2 (US average = 100).
New Haven is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Pasadena leads 13 of 23 categories. New Haven wins 10 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 New Haven to Pasadena or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($236,500 vs $171,600 median home), income ($54,305 vs $64,698), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
New Haven, CT and Pasadena, TX are about 1,481 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.