| Measure | Pasadena (CA)California, United States Remove Pasadena (CA) | Manhattan (KS)Kansas, United States Remove Manhattan (KS) | PocatelloIdaho, United States Remove Pocatello | WacoTexas, United States Remove Waco |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scores (out of 10) | ||||
| Overall score | 6.3 | 6.5 | 5.9 | 6.7 |
| Connector Score | 8.5 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 8.3 |
| Safety | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.6 | 5.0 |
| Affordability | 1.9 | 7.2 | 7.2 | 7.1 |
| Transportation | 9.0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | 7.0 |
| Car-free friendliness | 7.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 5.0 |
| Walkability | 8.0 | 4.4 | 3.9 | 7.7 |
| Things to do | 6.3 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.6 |
| Food & dining | 5.8 | 5.6 | 5.1 | 5.6 |
| Places to stay | 6.0 | 5.4 | 5.4 | 5.8 |
| Nature & outdoors | 4.0 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 7.5 |
| Scenic value | 4.5 | 7.0 | 6.8 | 7.3 |
| Family friendliness | 6.9 | 7.9 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| Solo-traveler friendliness | 6.3 | 5.9 | 5.6 | 5.8 |
| Nightlife | 3.8 | 7.2 | 4.2 | 3.6 |
| Remote-work friendliness | 4.9 | 6.0 | 5.5 | 6.3 |
| Road-trip convenience | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.2 | 6.5 |
| Train-trip convenience | 8.8 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Bus-trip convenience | 1.5 | 6.5 | 1.5 | 7.3 |
| Cost (per person per day, USD) | ||||
| Budget | $173 | $88 | $88 | $100 |
| Mid-range | $255 | $139 | $135 | $153 |
| Luxury | $497 | $235 | $223 | $256 |
| Living there | ||||
| Cost of living index (national = 100) | 153 | 93 | 93 | 94 |
| Typical 1-bedroom rent | $2,450 | $925 | $925 | $1,100 |
| Median home price | $1,093,300 | $272,000 | $300,000 | $221,700 |
| Population | 136K | 55K | 59K | 148K |
| Getting there | ||||
| Accessible by | Drive Train Airport | Drive Bus Airport | Drive Airport | Drive Bus Airport |
| Car recommended | — | — | — | — |
| Travel time from Pasadena (CA) | — | Far | Far | Far |
| Character | ||||
| Best for | Car-free travel | Outdoors, Families | History, Skiing | Outdoors |
| Known for | Mountains & hiking, Museums & galleries, Historic sites, Food scene, Pro sports, Shopping, Family & kids | Beaches, Mountains & hiking, National & state parks, Museums & galleries, Historic sites, Food scene, Nightlife, Live music, Pro sports, Shopping, Family & kids | Mountains & hiking, Lakes & rivers, Museums & galleries, Historic sites, Food scene, Live music, Pro sports, Skiing & winter sports, Shopping, Family & kids | Mountains & hiking, National & state parks, Lakes & rivers, Museums & galleries, Historic sites, Food scene, Pro sports, Shopping, Family & kids |
| When to go | Peak: New Year's Rose Parade and Rose Bowl pe… | Peak: Demand is K-State home football weekend… | Peak: Summer and ISU graduation and football… | Peak: Baylor football and graduation weekends… |
Scores and costs are estimates from public data and our own research; check the city pages for sources and dates.