Orange vs Pasadena: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Orange, CA and Pasadena, CA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Orange, CA | Pasadena, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,728 | 137,554 |
| Median household income | $109,335 | $97,818 |
| Median home value | $848,200 | $981,600 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,148 | $2,100 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Orange, CA and Pasadena, CA comes down to what you value most. Orange has the lower median home value, and Pasadena has the lower median rent.
Orange has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Orange or Pasadena?
- By median home value, Orange is the cheaper of the two ($848,200 vs $981,600). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Orange or Pasadena?
- Median household income is $109,335 in Orange versus $97,818 in Pasadena, per the US Census Bureau.