2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Pasadena, CA vs Carlsbad, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Carlsbad or is it cheaper to live in Pasadena?
- Carlsbad is 4.2% less expensive than Pasadena.

Which city has more affordable housing, Carlsbad or Pasadena?
- Carlsbad housing costs are 15.1% more expensive than Pasadena housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Pasadena or is Health Care more affordable in Carlsbad.
- Health related expenses are 2.7% more in Carlsbad.
 Pasadena, CACarlsbad, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.9100
 Food & Groceries104.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock89.0100
 Housing340.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,320,200$338,100
 Utilities101  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock125.6100
 Miscellaneous133.4  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Pasadena    19 Reviews

Pasadena is a little slice of the world in the foothills above the San Gabriel Valley. It has everything you could want. Check out my video on the cost of living in  More

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Over 10 years ago

The weather in Pasadena, CA is rather pleasant. It does not get cold here, it used to be around the first two weeks of December it could go down to 32-28 F, only a few  More

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Over 11 years ago

Great place to live for all ages and enjoy mostly sunny  More

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Reviews for Carlsbad    38 Reviews

I've lived in Carlsbad (92008) for 8 years now and really appreciate all that it has to offer. Yes, ALL of San Diego County is expensive, but Carlsbad has [possibly]  More

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Over 4 years ago

Carlson has the worst winters. It averages about 10 meters of snow per week. Every shop is  More

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Ok, I get it, the climate is mild and tolerable but even that is over-rated when you consider how many cloudy days there are in this town. The sun coming out at 3 and  More

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