Pasadena, TX Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Pasadena, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Pasadena →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Pasadena, Texas is home to roughly 150,620 residents. The typical household here earns $64,698 a year — below the median we track across cities (-10%).
Anyone weighing a move to Pasadena should know the median home value is $171,600, below the multi-city median (-47%), and median rent runs $1,159 per month. Current mortgage rates and local property taxes both affect the real math of buying versus renting.
Buying a typical home in Pasadena would take about 2.7 years of median household income, a comparatively affordable multiple by our tracked standards. Home prices around Pasadena have been essentially flat over the past year, up just 0.62%. Natural-hazard exposure in Pasadena is rated Very High by FEMA, on the elevated end — something to check with insurers before buying.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $1,159/mo in Pasadena would take 21.5% of your income.
$458/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($171,600) would take 17.0% of your income toward principal & interest.
$594/mo under the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Pasadena
Median home value is $171,600 and median gross rent is $1,159/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Harris rose 0.62% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,573/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Pasadena's overall natural-hazard risk as Very High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Pasadena reported a violent crime rate of 437.1 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Pasadena
Planning a move to Pasadena? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Pasadena, TX?
- The US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022) puts Pasadena's median home value at $171,600, median rent at $1,159/month, and median household income at $64,698.
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Pasadena?
- At Pasadena's median rent of $1,159/month, the 30%-of-income guideline suggests an annual income around $46,360 to stay comfortably housed. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Pasadena.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Pasadena?
- With a median home value of $171,600 and median rent of $1,159/month, renting comfortably in Pasadena takes about $46,360/year (the 30% guideline), while buying at the median price takes roughly $39,261/year in principal-and-interest alone (assumes 20% down, a 30-year fixed loan, and current mortgage rates). The right call depends on how long you plan to stay and your down payment.
- Is Pasadena safe?
- FBI data puts Pasadena's violent crime rate at 437.1 per 100,000 residents for 2025 — a useful benchmark alongside other cities you're weighing.
See the full salary breakdown for Pasadena →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Pasadena's.