Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Pasadena, CA
VS
Vallejo, CA
🏆 Pasadena leads 15 of 22 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 ✓ Larger
Vallejo
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
109.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$86,112
Violent Crime Index
195⚠ High
Population
125,132
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Pasadena, CA
Pros
35% less violent crime than Vallejo
More college-educated — 54.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (5.2%)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Households earn $11,706 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 57°F
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
Vallejo, CA
Pros
Homes cost $466k less ($515,500 vs $981,600)
Rent averages $206/mo less ($1,894 vs $2,100)
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Pasadena
Cons
Violent crime (739.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3990.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Median income trails Pasadena by $11,706/yr
Higher unemployment (7.0% vs 5.2%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Pasadena
Median Income
$11,706
$97,818 vs $86,112/yr
Pasadena
Violent Crime
35% lower
480.4 vs 739.8 per 100k
Pasadena
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
5.2% vs 7.0% unemployment
Pasadena
Summer Heat
3.7°F warmer
July avg high 89.1°F vs 85.4°F
Vallejo
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 109.2 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Vallejo
Median Home Value
$466k less
$515,500 vs $981,600
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Vallejo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 109.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $981,600⚠ High | $515,500⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,100⚠ High | $1,894⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $97,818 ✓ Higher | $86,112 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.9 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 36.7 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 20.2% ✓ Higher | 8.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer | 195⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 128⚠ High ✓ Safer | 190⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (105) ✓ Better | C (81) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 54.5% ✓ Higher | 27.5% |
| High School or Higher | 89.6% ✓ Higher | 87.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Pasadena Unified | Vallejo City Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 68.1°F ✓ Warmer | 57.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 89.1°F ✓ Warmer | 85.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 20.1" ✓ Drier | 21.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 137,554 ✓ Larger | 125,132 |
| Median Age | 39.9 | 40.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | 58.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 17.0% | 20.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 16.8% | 17.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Pasadena's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Vallejo's 109.2 (US average = 100).
Vallejo is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Pasadena leads 15 of 22 categories. Pasadena wins 15 and Vallejo wins 7. 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 Vallejo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($981,600 vs $515,500 median home), income ($97,818 vs $86,112), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Pasadena, CA and Vallejo, CA are about 357 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.