Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Pasadena, TX
VS
Springfield, MA
🏆 Springfield leads 12 of 23 categories
Pasadena
Texas
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,698 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
149⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
150,620
Springfield
Massachusetts
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$47,677
Violent Crime Index
235⚠ High
Population
155,305 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Pasadena, TX
Pros
36% less violent crime than Springfield
Households earn $17,021 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 64°F vs 35°F
Homes cost $27k less ($171,600 vs $198,500)
Cons
Violent crime (566.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Springfield, MA
Pros
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Rent averages $112/mo less ($1,047 vs $1,159)
More college-educated — 20.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 93°F
Smaller class sizes — 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Pasadena by $17,021/yr
Violent crime (891.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2835.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 52" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Pasadena
Median Income
$17,021
$64,698 vs $47,677/yr
Pasadena
Violent Crime
36% lower
566.1 vs 891.4 per 100k
Pasadena
Median Home Value
$27k less
$171,600 vs $198,500
Pasadena
Summer Heat
8.0°F warmer
July avg high 92.9°F vs 84.9°F
Springfield
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 98.4 vs 100.2 (100 = US avg)
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Springfield, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.2⚠ High | 98.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $171,600 ✓ Lower | $198,500 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,159 | $1,047 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,698 ✓ Higher | $47,677 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9%⚠ High | 8.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.7 min | 21.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% ✓ Higher | 7.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 134⚠ High ✓ Safer | 195⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 235⚠ 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) | B- (96) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.0:1 | 11.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 15.9% | 20.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 73.0% | 79.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | PASADENA ISD | Springfield |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 63.8°F ✓ Warmer | 34.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.9°F ✓ Warmer | 84.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 57.1" | 50.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 51.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 150,620 | 155,305 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 33.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% ✓ Higher | 47.8% |
| Under 18 | 28.5% ✓ More | 24.4% |
| Over 65 | 11.2% | 13.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Pasadena's cost of living index is 100.2 vs Springfield's 98.4 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 12 of 23 categories. Pasadena wins 11 and Springfield 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 Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($171,600 vs $198,500 median home), income ($64,698 vs $47,677), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Pasadena, TX and Springfield, MA are about 1,523 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.