Cost of Living: Irvine, CA vs Pasadena, TX (2026)

Irvine

California
256
VS

Pasadena

Texas
76

Irvine is 237% more expensive than Pasadena.

$2,893/mo ↑ 141%
Median Rent
$1,201/mo ↓ 58%
$129,647/yr ↑ 102%
Median Income
$64,270/yr ↓ 50%
$1,115,400 ↑ 476%
Home Value
$193,600 ↓ 83%
$2,904/mo ↑ 155%
Owner Costs
$1,141/mo ↓ 61%
308,160
Population
149,345

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Pasadena, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 76 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,692/month cheaper in Pasadena, saving renters about $20,304/year.

Median household income is $65,377/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $193,600 in Pasadena.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Pasadena residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Pasadena — common questions

Is Irvine or Pasadena cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Pasadena is cheaper to live in with an index of 76 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Pasadena?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Pasadena it's $1,201/month — a difference of $1,692/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Pasadena?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $64,270 in Pasadena. Median household income is $65,377/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or Pasadena?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/mo, while Pasadena has a cost index of 76 with rent of $1,201/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Irvine details → View Pasadena details →

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