Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Pasadena, TX
VS
Vancouver, WA
🏆 Pasadena leads 12 of 23 categories
Pasadena
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,698
Violent Crime Index
149⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
150,620
Vancouver
Washington
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,626 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High
Population
190,700 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Pasadena, TX
Pros
Homes cost $232k less ($171,600 vs $403,400)
Rent averages $366/mo less ($1,159 vs $1,525)
Milder winters — January highs near 64°F vs 47°F
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Vancouver
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 Vancouver by $8,928/yr
Higher unemployment (8.9% vs 5.6%)
Vancouver, WA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.3 pts lower (5.6%)
More college-educated — 31.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $8,928 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 93°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $403,400
Violent crime (582.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,525/mo
Property crime (3407.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Pasadena
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 100.2 vs 106.6 (100 = US avg)
Pasadena
Violent Crime
3% lower
566.1 vs 582.3 per 100k
Pasadena
Median Home Value
$232k less
$171,600 vs $403,400
Pasadena
Summer Heat
12.0°F warmer
July avg high 92.9°F vs 80.9°F
Vancouver
Median Income
$8,928
$73,626 vs $64,698/yr
Vancouver
Unemployment
3.3 pp lower
5.6% vs 8.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Vancouver, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 106.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $171,600 ✓ Lower | $403,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,159 ✓ Lower | $1,525⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,698 | $73,626 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.7 min | 23.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% | 13.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 134⚠ High ✓ Safer | 157⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 153⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 162⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | B (97) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 15.9% | 31.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 73.0% | 91.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | PASADENA ISD | Evergreen School District (Clark) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 63.8°F ✓ Warmer | 47.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.9°F ✓ Warmer | 80.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 57.1" | 44.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 4.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 150,620 | 190,700 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 37.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% ✓ Higher | 50.9% |
| Under 18 | 28.5% ✓ More | 21.5% |
| Over 65 | 11.2% | 16.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Pasadena's cost of living index is 100.2 vs Vancouver's 106.6 (US average = 100).
Pasadena is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Pasadena leads 12 of 23 categories. Pasadena wins 12 and Vancouver 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 Vancouver or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($171,600 vs $403,400 median home), income ($64,698 vs $73,626), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Pasadena, TX and Vancouver, WA are about 1,848 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.