Pasadena vs Las Vegas: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Pasadena, Texas compare to Las Vegas, Nevada? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Pasadena is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 53% lower in Pasadena compared to Las Vegas, while rent is 15% lower.
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $171,600 | $365,300 | -53.0% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,159 | $1,356 | -14.5% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $64,698 | $66,356 | -2.5% |
| Per Capita Income | $27,913 | $36,275 | -23.1% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | None | None | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.2% | 8.2% | same |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 150,620 | 644,835 | -76.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Pasadena
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Las Vegas
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Pasadena costs $171,600 compared to $365,300 in Las Vegas — a 53% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,159/mo in Pasadena vs $1,356/mo in Las Vegas.
- Income: Median household income is $64,698 in Pasadena and $66,356 in Las Vegas.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).