Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Pasadena, TX
VS
Richmond, VA
🏆 Richmond leads 14 of 23 categories
Pasadena
Texas
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,698 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
149⚠ High
Population
150,620
Richmond
Virginia
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,606
Violent Crime Index
89 ✓ Safer
Population
227,171 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Pasadena, TX
Pros
Homes cost $137k less ($171,600 vs $308,300)
Milder winters — January highs near 64°F vs 48°F
Households earn $5,092 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (566.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (8.9% vs 6.1%)
Cost of living runs 2% higher than Richmond
Richmond, VA
Pros
40% less violent crime than Pasadena
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.8 pts lower (6.1%)
More college-educated — 44.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
2% cheaper overall cost of living than Pasadena
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $308,300
Property crime (3179.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Median income trails Pasadena by $5,092/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Pasadena
Median Income
$5,092
$64,698 vs $59,606/yr
Pasadena
Median Home Value
$137k less
$171,600 vs $308,300
Pasadena
Summer Heat
3.4°F warmer
July avg high 92.9°F vs 89.5°F
Richmond
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 100.2 (100 = US avg)
Richmond
Violent Crime
40% lower
336.9 vs 566.1 per 100k
Richmond
Unemployment
2.8 pp lower
6.1% vs 8.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Richmond, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.2⚠ High | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $171,600 ✓ Lower | $308,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,159 ✓ Lower | $1,227 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,698 ✓ Higher | $59,606 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9%⚠ High | 6.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.7 min | 22.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% | 14.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 134⚠ High | 114⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High | 89 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 151⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.0:1 | 11.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 15.9% | 44.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 73.0% | 88.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | PASADENA ISD | Richmond City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 63.8°F ✓ Warmer | 47.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.9°F ✓ Warmer | 89.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 57.1" | 47.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 8.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 150,620 | 227,171 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 34.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% ✓ Higher | 43.2% |
| Under 18 | 28.5% ✓ More | 17.1% |
| Over 65 | 11.2% | 13.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Pasadena's cost of living index is 100.2 vs Richmond's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Richmond is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Richmond leads 14 of 23 categories. Pasadena wins 9 and Richmond wins 14. 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 Richmond or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($171,600 vs $308,300 median home), income ($64,698 vs $59,606), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Pasadena, TX and Richmond, VA are about 1,151 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.