Novato, CA vs Pasadena, CA

Novato, CA and Pasadena, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. Novato scores 197 while Pasadena scores 193 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Novato is $2,422/month compared to $2,218/month in Pasadena — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Pasadena has cheaper rent, Novato actually has lower median home values ($1,007,100 vs $1,045,000).

Median household income in Novato is $112,193 compared to $103,778 in Pasadena (+8.1%). While Novato is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Novato spend roughly 25.9% of their income on rent, more than the 25.6% in Pasadena.

Climate-wise, Pasadena is notably warmer with an average of 65.8°F compared to 57.7°F in Novato. Novato receives more rainfall at 20.2" per year compared to 14.3" in Pasadena.