Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Pasadena, TX
VS
Winston-Salem, NC
🏆 Winston-Salem leads 13 of 23 categories
Pasadena
Texas
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,698 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
149⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
150,620
Winston-Salem
North Carolina
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,416
Violent Crime Index
213⚠ High
Population
249,571 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Pasadena, TX
Pros
30% less violent crime than Winston-Salem
Households earn $10,282 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 64°F vs 49°F
Homes cost $16k less ($171,600 vs $187,400)
Cons
Violent crime (566.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (8.9% vs 6.2%)
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem, NC
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.7 pts lower (6.2%)
Rent averages $203/mo less ($956 vs $1,159)
More college-educated — 35.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Pasadena
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.4)
Cons
Violent crime (809.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Pasadena by $10,282/yr
Property crime (2921.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Pasadena
Median Income
$10,282
$64,698 vs $54,416/yr
Pasadena
Violent Crime
30% lower
566.1 vs 809.7 per 100k
Pasadena
Median Home Value
$16k less
$171,600 vs $187,400
Pasadena
Summer Heat
4.9°F warmer
July avg high 92.9°F vs 88.0°F
Winston-Salem
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 91.4 vs 100.2 (100 = US avg)
Winston-Salem
Unemployment
2.7 pp lower
6.2% vs 8.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Winston-Salem, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.2⚠ High | 91.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $171,600 ✓ Lower | $187,400 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,159 | $956 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,698 ✓ Higher | $54,416 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9%⚠ High | 6.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.7 min | 21.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% | 10.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 134⚠ High ✓ Safer | 183⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 213⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | B+ (104) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 15.9% | 35.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 73.0% | 87.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | PASADENA ISD | Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 63.8°F ✓ Warmer | 48.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.9°F ✓ Warmer | 88.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 57.1" | 43.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 6.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 150,620 | 249,571 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 35.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 53.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 28.5% ✓ More | 23.4% |
| Over 65 | 11.2% | 14.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Pasadena's cost of living index is 100.2 vs Winston-Salem's 91.4 (US average = 100).
Winston-Salem is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Winston-Salem leads 13 of 23 categories. Pasadena wins 10 and Winston-Salem wins 13. 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 Winston-Salem or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($171,600 vs $187,400 median home), income ($64,698 vs $54,416), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Pasadena, TX and Winston-Salem, NC are about 971 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.