Mountain View, CA vs Pasadena, CA

Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.

Score Snapshot

No universal winner

Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.

Mountain View

63.3

#1779 nationally

vs

Pasadena

61.6

#1898 nationally

Mountain View leads in median household income ($174,156 vs $97,818). Mountain View leads in crime level (8.4 vs 13.2). Pasadena leads in cost of living index (197 vs 285).

Metric-by-Metric Breakdown

Metric Mountain View, CA Pasadena, CA
WhereAtHome Score 63.3 (#1779) 61.6 (#1898)
Population 81,785 133,560
Typical Home Value (ZHVI) $1,962,774 $1,206,740
Median Household Income $174,156 $97,818
Average Commute 24.2 min 27.9 min
Walk Score 66 69
Crime Level 8.4 13.2
School Rating N/A N/A
Cost of Living Index 285 197
Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored D+40.0 D+32.9