Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Pasadena, CA
VS
Springfield, MA
🏆 Pasadena leads 15 of 23 categories
Pasadena
California
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$97,818 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
126⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
137,554
Springfield
Massachusetts
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$47,677
Violent Crime Index
235⚠ High
Population
155,305 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Pasadena, CA
Pros
Households earn $50,141 more per year on average
46% less violent crime than Springfield
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.5 pts lower (5.2%)
More college-educated — 54.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 35°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $981,600
Higher rents — median is $2,100/mo
Violent crime (480.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 17% higher than Springfield
Springfield, MA
Pros
Homes cost $783k less ($198,500 vs $981,600)
Rent averages $1053/mo less ($1,047 vs $2,100)
17% cheaper overall cost of living than Pasadena
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Smaller class sizes — 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Pasadena by $50,141/yr
Violent crime (891.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2835.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.7% vs 5.2%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Pasadena
Median Income
$50,141
$97,818 vs $47,677/yr
Pasadena
Violent Crime
46% lower
480.4 vs 891.4 per 100k
Pasadena
Unemployment
3.5 pp lower
5.2% vs 8.7% unemployment
Pasadena
Summer Heat
4.2°F warmer
July avg high 89.1°F vs 84.9°F
Springfield
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 98.4 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$783k less
$198,500 vs $981,600
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Springfield, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 98.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $981,600⚠ High | $198,500 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,100⚠ High | $1,047 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $97,818 ✓ Higher | $47,677 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.9 min⚠ High | 21.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 20.2% ✓ Higher | 7.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer | 195⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer | 235⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 128⚠ High ✓ Safer | 135⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (105) ✓ Better | B- (96) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.1:1 | 11.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 54.5% ✓ Higher | 20.0% |
| High School or Higher | 89.6% ✓ Higher | 79.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Pasadena Unified | Springfield |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 68.1°F ✓ Warmer | 34.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 89.1°F ✓ Warmer | 84.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 20.1" ✓ Drier | 50.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 51.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 137,554 | 155,305 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 39.9 ✓ Older | 33.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | 47.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 17.0% | 24.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 16.8% ✓ More | 13.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Pasadena's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Springfield's 98.4 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Pasadena leads 15 of 23 categories. Pasadena wins 15 and Springfield wins 8. 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 Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($981,600 vs $198,500 median home), income ($97,818 vs $47,677), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Pasadena, CA and Springfield, MA are about 2,507 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.