Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Pasadena, TX
VS
Phoenix, AZ
🏆 Phoenix leads 15 of 22 categories
Pasadena
Texas
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,698
Violent Crime Index
149⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
150,620
Phoenix
Arizona
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$72,092 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
210⚠ High
Population
1,609,456 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Pasadena, TX
Pros
Homes cost $169k less ($171,600 vs $340,200)
29% less violent crime than Phoenix
Rent averages $163/mo less ($1,159 vs $1,322)
Cooler summers — July highs near 93°F vs 104°F
Smaller class sizes — 13.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (566.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Phoenix by $7,394/yr
Higher unemployment (8.9% vs 5.2%)
Phoenix, AZ
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.7 pts lower (5.2%)
More college-educated — 31.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $7,394 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $340,200
Violent crime (799.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Pasadena
Violent Crime
29% lower
566.1 vs 799.6 per 100k
Pasadena
Median Home Value
$169k less
$171,600 vs $340,200
Phoenix
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 98.4 vs 100.2 (100 = US avg)
Phoenix
Median Income
$7,394
$72,092 vs $64,698/yr
Phoenix
Unemployment
3.7 pp lower
5.2% vs 8.9% unemployment
Phoenix
Summer Heat
11.1°F warmer
July avg high 104.0°F vs 92.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.2⚠ High | 98.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $171,600 ✓ Lower | $340,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,159 ✓ Lower | $1,322 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,698 | $72,092 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9%⚠ High | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.7 min | 25.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% | 14.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 134⚠ High ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 210⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | B (98) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 15.9% | 31.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 73.0% | 83.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | PASADENA ISD | Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 63.8°F | 65.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 92.9°F | 104.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 57.1" | 8.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 0.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 150,620 | 1,609,456 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 34.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 56.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 28.5% ✓ More | 24.5% |
| Over 65 | 11.2% | 11.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Pasadena's cost of living index is 100.2 vs Phoenix's 98.4 (US average = 100).
Phoenix is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Phoenix leads 15 of 22 categories. Pasadena wins 7 and Phoenix wins 15. 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 Phoenix or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($171,600 vs $340,200 median home), income ($64,698 vs $72,092), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Pasadena, TX and Phoenix, AZ are about 1,031 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.