Pasadena, CA vs Tempe, AZ
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.
Pasadena
61.6
#1898 nationally
Tempe
68.3
#1328 nationally
Tempe leads in cost of living index (119 vs 197). Pasadena leads in median household income ($97,818 vs $72,022). Tempe leads in average commute (21.5 min vs 27.9 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Tempe, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 61.6 (#1898) | 68.3 (#1328) |
| Population | 133,560 | 189,834 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,206,740 | $465,636 |
| Median Household Income | $97,818 | $72,022 |
| Average Commute | 27.9 min | 21.5 min |
| Walk Score | 69 | 54 |
| Crime Level | 13.2 | 12.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 119 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | R+3.5 |
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 →
D+
68.3 Score
Tempe, AZ
Mid-size Arizona city with community character
Median Home
$465,636
Population
189,834
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
54
Southwest
View Tempe, AZ →