New Brunswick, NJ 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.
New Brunswick
65.7
#1613 nationally
Pasadena
61.6
#1898 nationally
Pasadena leads in median household income ($97,818 vs $57,138). New Brunswick leads in cost of living index (124 vs 197). Pasadena leads in crime level (13.2 vs 19.1).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | New Brunswick, NJ | Pasadena, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 65.7 (#1613) | 61.6 (#1898) |
| Population | 55,846 | 133,560 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $449,176 | $1,206,740 |
| Median Household Income | $57,138 | $97,818 |
| Average Commute | 26.6 min | 27.9 min |
| Walk Score | 73 | 69 |
| Crime Level | 19.1 | 13.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+8.0 | D+32.9 |
D
65.7 Score
New Brunswick, NJ
New Jersey community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$449,176
Population
55,846
Crime
High
Walk Score
73
Northeast
View New Brunswick, NJ →
D-
61.6 Score
Pasadena, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,206,740
Population
133,560
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
69
Pacific
View Pasadena, CA →
Try a different matchup
Swap New Brunswick for: