Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Pasadena, TX
VS
Wichita Falls, TX
🏆 Wichita Falls leads 15 of 23 categories
Pasadena
Texas
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,698 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
149⚠ High
Population
150,620 ✓ Larger
Wichita Falls
Texas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
88.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$55,584
Violent Crime Index
92 ✓ Safer
Population
102,482
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Pasadena, TX
Pros
Households earn $9,114 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 64°F vs 55°F
Smaller class sizes — 13.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (566.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Wichita Falls
Higher unemployment (8.9% vs 4.4%)
Wichita Falls, TX
Pros
38% less violent crime than Pasadena
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.5 pts lower (4.4%)
Homes cost $43k less ($128,800 vs $171,600)
Rent averages $210/mo less ($949 vs $1,159)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Pasadena
Cons
Median income trails Pasadena by $9,114/yr
Property crime (2618.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Pasadena
Median Income
$9,114
$64,698 vs $55,584/yr
Wichita Falls
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 88.9 vs 100.2 (100 = US avg)
Wichita Falls
Violent Crime
38% lower
350.3 vs 566.1 per 100k
Wichita Falls
Median Home Value
$43k less
$128,800 vs $171,600
Wichita Falls
Unemployment
4.5 pp lower
4.4% vs 8.9% unemployment
Wichita Falls
Summer Heat
4.3°F warmer
July avg high 97.2°F vs 92.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Wichita Falls, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.2⚠ High | 88.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $171,600 | $128,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,159 | $949 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,698 ✓ Higher | $55,584 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9%⚠ High | 4.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.7 min | 14.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% ✓ Higher | 6.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 134⚠ High | 105⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High | 92 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 125⚠ 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 | 15.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 15.9% | 24.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 73.0% | 86.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | PASADENA ISD | WICHITA FALLS ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 63.8°F ✓ Warmer | 54.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.9°F | 97.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 57.1" | 27.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 3.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 150,620 ✓ Larger | 102,482 |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 32.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 56.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 28.5% ✓ More | 22.8% |
| Over 65 | 11.2% | 14.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Pasadena's cost of living index is 100.2 vs Wichita Falls's 88.9 (US average = 100).
Wichita Falls is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Wichita Falls leads 15 of 23 categories. Pasadena wins 8 and Wichita Falls wins 15. 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 Wichita Falls or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($171,600 vs $128,800 median home), income ($64,698 vs $55,584), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Pasadena, TX and Wichita Falls, TX are about 354 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.