Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Pasadena, TX
VS
Salinas, CA
🏆 Pasadena leads 14 of 22 categories
Pasadena
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,698
Violent Crime Index
149⚠ High
Population
150,620
Salinas
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$84,250 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
138⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
162,783 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Pasadena, TX
Pros
Homes cost $402k less ($171,600 vs $573,600)
Rent averages $636/mo less ($1,159 vs $1,795)
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Salinas
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 Salinas by $19,552/yr
Higher unemployment (8.9% vs 5.0%)
Salinas, CA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.9 pts lower (5.0%)
Households earn $19,552 more per year on average
7% less violent crime than Pasadena
Cooler summers — July highs near 71°F vs 93°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $573,600
Higher rents — median is $1,795/mo
Violent crime (524.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Key Differences at a Glance
Pasadena
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 100.2 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Pasadena
Median Home Value
$402k less
$171,600 vs $573,600
Pasadena
Summer Heat
22.2°F warmer
July avg high 92.9°F vs 70.7°F
Salinas
Median Income
$19,552
$84,250 vs $64,698/yr
Salinas
Violent Crime
7% lower
524.5 vs 566.1 per 100k
Salinas
Unemployment
3.9 pp lower
5.0% vs 8.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Salinas, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $171,600 ✓ Lower | $573,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,159 ✓ Lower | $1,795⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,698 | $84,250 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.7 min ✓ Shorter | 25.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% ✓ Higher | 3.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 134⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High | 138⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High | 80 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) ✓ Better | C- (57) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 24.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 15.9% ✓ Higher | 15.0% |
| High School or Higher | 73.0% ✓ Higher | 62.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | PASADENA ISD | Alisal Union |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 63.8°F ✓ Warmer | 62.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.9°F ✓ Warmer | 70.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 57.1" | 12.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 150,620 | 162,783 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.6 ✓ Older | 31.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% ✓ Higher | 47.1% |
| Under 18 | 28.5% | 29.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.2% ✓ More | 9.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Pasadena's cost of living index is 100.2 vs Salinas's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Pasadena is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Pasadena leads 14 of 22 categories. Pasadena wins 14 and Salinas wins 8. 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 Salinas or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($171,600 vs $573,600 median home), income ($64,698 vs $84,250), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Pasadena, TX and Salinas, CA are about 1,601 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.