Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Pasadena, CA
VS
Quincy, MA
🏆 Pasadena leads 13 of 22 categories
Pasadena
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$97,818 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
126⚠ High
Population
137,554 ✓ Larger
Quincy
Massachusetts
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$90,668
Violent Crime Index
88 ✓ Safer
Population
100,981
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Pasadena, CA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (5.2%)
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 38°F
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 54.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $7,150 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $981,600
Violent crime (480.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Property crime (2696.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Quincy, MA
Pros
Homes cost $418k less ($563,200 vs $981,600)
30% less violent crime than Pasadena
Rent averages $199/mo less ($1,901 vs $2,100)
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 89°F
Smaller class sizes — 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Pasadena
Cons
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Higher unemployment (6.7% vs 5.2%)
Longer commutes — 33.9 min average each way
Median income trails Pasadena by $7,150/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Pasadena
Median Income
$7,150
$97,818 vs $90,668/yr
Pasadena
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
5.2% vs 6.7% unemployment
Pasadena
Summer Heat
6.1°F warmer
July avg high 89.1°F vs 83.0°F
Quincy
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 111.6 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Quincy
Violent Crime
30% lower
335.1 vs 480.4 per 100k
Quincy
Median Home Value
$418k less
$563,200 vs $981,600
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Quincy, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $981,600⚠ High | $563,200⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,100⚠ High | $1,901⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $97,818 ✓ Higher | $90,668 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.9 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 33.9 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 20.2% ✓ Higher | 15.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 127⚠ High | 78 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High | 88 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 128⚠ High | 63 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (105) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.1:1 | 13.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 54.5% ✓ Higher | 46.9% |
| High School or Higher | 89.6% ✓ Higher | 89.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Pasadena Unified | Quincy |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 68.1°F ✓ Warmer | 37.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 89.1°F ✓ Warmer | 83.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 20.1" ✓ Drier | 52.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 50.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 137,554 ✓ Larger | 100,981 |
| Median Age | 39.9 ✓ Older | 38.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | 43.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 17.0% ✓ More | 15.0% |
| Over 65 | 16.8% | 16.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Pasadena's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Quincy's 111.6 (US average = 100).
Quincy is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Pasadena leads 13 of 22 categories. Pasadena wins 13 and Quincy wins 9. 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 Pasadena to Quincy or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($981,600 vs $563,200 median home), income ($97,818 vs $90,668), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Pasadena, CA and Quincy, MA are about 2,585 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.