Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Pasadena, TX
VS
Providence, RI
🏆 Providence leads 12 of 23 categories
Pasadena
Texas
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,698 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
149⚠ High
Population
150,620
Providence
Rhode Island
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,365
Violent Crime Index
73 ✓ Safer
Population
189,715 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Pasadena, TX
Pros
Homes cost $121k less ($171,600 vs $293,000)
Milder winters — January highs near 64°F vs 38°F
Households earn $3,333 more per year on average
Smaller class sizes — 13.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (566.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (8.9% vs 7.2%)
Providence, RI
Pros
51% less violent crime than Pasadena
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (7.2%)
More college-educated — 34.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 93°F
Cons
Median income trails Pasadena by $3,333/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Pasadena
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 100.2 vs 100.9 (100 = US avg)
Pasadena
Median Income
$3,333
$64,698 vs $61,365/yr
Pasadena
Median Home Value
$121k less
$171,600 vs $293,000
Pasadena
Summer Heat
9.3°F warmer
July avg high 92.9°F vs 83.6°F
Providence
Violent Crime
51% lower
276.7 vs 566.1 per 100k
Providence
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
7.2% vs 8.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Providence, RI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 100.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $171,600 ✓ Lower | $293,000 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,159 ✓ Lower | $1,214 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,698 ✓ Higher | $61,365 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9%⚠ High | 7.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.7 min | 24.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% | 11.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 134⚠ High | 75 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High | 73 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High | 79 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | B- (95) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 15.9% | 34.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 73.0% | 82.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | PASADENA ISD | Providence |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 63.8°F ✓ Warmer | 38.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.9°F ✓ Warmer | 83.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 57.1" | 47.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 36.6" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 150,620 | 189,715 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.6 ✓ Older | 32.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% ✓ Higher | 39.9% |
| Under 18 | 28.5% ✓ More | 20.7% |
| Over 65 | 11.2% | 11.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Pasadena's cost of living index is 100.2 vs Providence's 100.9 (US average = 100).
Pasadena is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Providence leads 12 of 23 categories. Pasadena wins 11 and Providence wins 12. 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 Providence or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($171,600 vs $293,000 median home), income ($64,698 vs $61,365), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Pasadena, TX and Providence, RI are about 1,566 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.