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

Rancho Cucamonga

California
182
VS

Pasadena

Texas
76

Rancho Cucamonga is 139% more expensive than Pasadena.

$2,286/mo ↑ 90%
Median Rent
$1,201/mo ↓ 47%
$109,511/yr ↑ 70%
Median Income
$64,270/yr ↓ 41%
$694,400 ↑ 259%
Home Value
$193,600 ↓ 72%
$2,324/mo ↑ 104%
Owner Costs
$1,141/mo ↓ 51%
174,693
Population
149,345

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Rancho Cucamonga, CA and Pasadena, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 182 and 76 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,085/month cheaper in Pasadena, saving renters about $13,020/year.

Median household income is $45,241/year higher in Rancho Cucamonga. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Rancho Cucamonga is $694,400 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

Rancho Cucamonga vs Pasadena — common questions

Is Rancho Cucamonga or Pasadena cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Pasadena is cheaper to live in with an index of 76 compared to 182 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Rancho Cucamonga and Pasadena?
Median rent in Rancho Cucamonga is $2,286/month and in Pasadena it's $1,201/month — a difference of $1,085/month.
Which city has higher income, Rancho Cucamonga or Pasadena?
Median household income is $109,511 in Rancho Cucamonga and $64,270 in Pasadena. Median household income is $45,241/year higher in Rancho Cucamonga.
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 Rancho Cucamonga or Pasadena?
It depends on your priorities. Rancho Cucamonga has a cost index of 182 with median rent of $2,286/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 Rancho Cucamonga details → View Pasadena details →

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