Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Pasadena, TX
VS
Spokane, WA
🏆 Spokane 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 ✓ Safer
Population
150,620
Spokane
Washington
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,316
Violent Crime Index
178⚠ High
Population
227,922 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Pasadena, TX
Pros
Homes cost $115k less ($171,600 vs $286,900)
16% less violent crime than Spokane
Milder winters — January highs near 64°F vs 38°F
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 6.2%)
Spokane, WA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.7 pts lower (6.2%)
More college-educated — 32.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Rent averages $99/mo less ($1,060 vs $1,159)
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 93°F
Cons
Violent crime (674.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4840.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 45" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Pasadena
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 100.2 vs 101.0 (100 = US avg)
Pasadena
Median Income
$1,382
$64,698 vs $63,316/yr
Pasadena
Violent Crime
16% lower
566.1 vs 674.9 per 100k
Pasadena
Median Home Value
$115k less
$171,600 vs $286,900
Pasadena
Summer Heat
5.8°F warmer
July avg high 92.9°F vs 87.1°F
Spokane
Unemployment
2.7 pp lower
6.2% vs 8.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Spokane, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 101.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $171,600 ✓ Lower | $286,900 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,159 | $1,060 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,698 ✓ Higher | $63,316 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9%⚠ High | 6.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.7 min | 20.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% | 12.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 134⚠ High ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 178⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 231⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | B (101) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 15.9% | 32.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 73.0% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | PASADENA ISD | Spokane School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 63.8°F ✓ Warmer | 37.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.9°F ✓ Warmer | 87.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 57.1" | 17.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 45.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 150,620 | 227,922 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 37.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 57.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 28.5% ✓ More | 20.3% |
| Over 65 | 11.2% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Pasadena's cost of living index is 100.2 vs Spokane's 101.0 (US average = 100).
Pasadena is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Spokane leads 12 of 23 categories. Pasadena wins 11 and Spokane 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 Spokane or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($171,600 vs $286,900 median home), income ($64,698 vs $63,316), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Pasadena, TX and Spokane, WA are about 1,718 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.