Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Pasadena, TX
VS
Riverside, CA
🏆 It's a dead heat — 11 categories each
Pasadena
Texas
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,698
Violent Crime Index
149⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
150,620
Riverside
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$83,448 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
155⚠ High
Population
316,076 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Pasadena, TX
Pros
Homes cost $314k less ($171,600 vs $485,500)
Rent averages $552/mo less ($1,159 vs $1,711)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Riverside
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 Riverside by $18,750/yr
Higher unemployment (8.9% vs 6.1%)
Riverside, CA
Pros
Households earn $18,750 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.8 pts lower (6.1%)
More college-educated — 24.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 64°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $485,500
Higher rents — median is $1,711/mo
Violent crime (589.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2832.1/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Pasadena
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 100.2 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Pasadena
Violent Crime
4% lower
566.1 vs 589.7 per 100k
Pasadena
Median Home Value
$314k less
$171,600 vs $485,500
Riverside
Median Income
$18,750
$83,448 vs $64,698/yr
Riverside
Unemployment
2.8 pp lower
6.1% vs 8.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Riverside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 107.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $171,600 ✓ Lower | $485,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,159 ✓ Lower | $1,711⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,698 | $83,448 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9%⚠ High | 6.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.7 min ✓ Shorter | 31.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% ✓ Higher | 8.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 134⚠ High ✓ Safer | 147⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 155⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 135⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | C+ (88) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 23.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 15.9% | 24.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 73.0% | 82.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | PASADENA ISD | Riverside Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 63.8°F | 69.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 92.9°F | 95.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 57.1" | 10.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 150,620 | 316,076 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.6 ✓ Older | 32.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 55.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 28.5% ✓ More | 23.6% |
| Over 65 | 11.2% | 11.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Pasadena's cost of living index is 100.2 vs Riverside's 107.9 (US average = 100).
Pasadena is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, It's a dead heat — 11 categories each. Pasadena wins 11 and Riverside wins 11. 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 Riverside or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($171,600 vs $485,500 median home), income ($64,698 vs $83,448), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Pasadena, TX and Riverside, CA are about 1,336 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.