CostIndexUSA

Midland, TX vs Pasadena, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Midland
95.8
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
CA
Pasadena
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Midland is significantly cheaper than Pasadena — 18.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Midland, you would need $94,900 in Pasadena. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+67.9%
Midland
101.5
Pasadena
170.4
🛒 Groceries+13.6%
Midland
93.8
Pasadena
106.6
🚗 Transportation+8.4%
Midland
101.1
Pasadena
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+8.4%
Midland
91.4
Pasadena
99.1
Utilities+90.6%
Midland
83.2
Pasadena
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Midland to see what you'd need to earn in Pasadena to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Pasadena, CA
$94,900
$14,900 more needed in Pasadena

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 95.8) = salary × 1.1858. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Midland, TX

Median Home Price
$320,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
101.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.9×

Pasadena, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Pasadena has 67.9% higher housing costs compared to Midland.

Income & Job Market

Midland, TX

Median Household Income
$92,900
Per Capita Income
$53,000
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Population
132,950
Top Industries
EnergyOil & GasHealthcareManufacturingFinance

Pasadena, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
141,029
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareEntertainmentFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Midland, TX
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

80% of income left after rent (median)

Pasadena, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.