CostIndexUSA

Pasadena, CA vs Racine, WI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Pasadena
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableWI
Racine
96
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Racine is significantly cheaper than Pasadena — 15.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Pasadena, you would need $67,600 in Racine. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing46.0%
Pasadena
170.4
Racine
92
🛒 Groceries12.0%
Pasadena
106.6
Racine
93.8
🚗 Transportation4.7%
Pasadena
109.6
Racine
104.4
🏥 Healthcare4.7%
Pasadena
99.1
Racine
94.4
Utilities43.3%
Pasadena
158.6
Racine
90

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Racine, WI
$67,600
$12,400 less needed in Racine

Formula: salary × (96 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.8451. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Pasadena, CA

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

Racine, WI

Median Home Price
$293,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,325
Housing Index
92
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

Pasadena has 46.0% lower housing costs compared to Racine.

Income & Job Market

Pasadena, CA

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

Racine, WI

Median Household Income
$74,000
Per Capita Income
$42,200
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
78,900
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnologyFinance

Affordability at a Glance

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

Pasadena, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Racine, WI
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.