A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cleveland vs. Pasadena for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Cleveland or Pasadena?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cleveland or Pasadena, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Cleveland

Cleveland is a authentic, under-rated, and diverse city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, live music, and shopping.

Pasadena

Pasadena is a charming, picturesque, and quaint city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Cleveland and Pasadena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cleveland or Pasadena?

Both Pasadena and Cleveland have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Cleveland is better known for its music, while Pasadena is more popular for its food, nightlife, and shopping. Cleveland is well known for being the home to "rock 'n roll" as well as its friendly and hard working people. Pasadena is well known for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl.

How is Cleveland different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Pasadena and Cleveland. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cleveland or Pasadena?

Spend time exploring the great sights and museums in either Cleveland or Pasadena.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Cleveland can be an interesting and educational experience. There are diverse museums around town such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa), and the Great Lakes Science Center. Music lovers will appreciate a visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Pasadena. There's a good number of museums around town that include kids' museums, art museums, and local museums. Popular museums include the USC Pacific Asia Museum, the Norton Simon Museum, and the Pasadena Museum of History. Many people also enjoy touring the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Is the Food Better in Cleveland or Pasadena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pasadena is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Pasadena. Local restaurants feature southern California cuisine as well as international flavors. Dishes often use local ingredients that are fresh and seasonal. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Cleveland. Casual dining with comfort food is the way most residents prefer to eat. There are local foods that have made a name for themselves such as gourmet hot dogs and deli sandwiches. The food is also influenced by the city's German, Irish, Polish, and Italian roots. Pierogis, bratwurst, and chicken paprikash are all common.

Is Cleveland or Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

Pasadena is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Cleveland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Pasadena has a large number of nightlife venues. Much of the nightlife scene is concentrated around Old Pasadena. You'll find clubs, bars, and lounges that begin the evening with Happy Hours and then become more party-focused as the evening progresses.

Cleveland has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Breweries have become a popular nighttime activity. There are also comedy clubs, music venues, and several theaters.

Is Cleveland or Pasadena Better for Music?

Cleveland is notable for its music scene. However, Pasadena is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Cleveland. Home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it has long been a destination for music enthusiasts. There are many independent music venues and it's the perfect place to catch a show.

Pasadena is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cleveland or Pasadena?

Pasadena is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Cleveland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Pasadena. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.

Cleveland offers some nice shopping areas. Large shopping malls offer plenty of selection. There's also West Side Market, which is the oldest public market in the city. Other interesting shopping areas include Little Italy and the Cleveland Flea.

Is Cleveland or Pasadena Better for Families?

Cleveland and Pasadena are both notable destinations for the whole family.

Cleveland is a family-friendly city. Kid-friendly activities in the area include the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. There's also the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as well as the smaller Akron Zoo.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Pasadena. There are a number of kid-friendly museums around town including Kidspace Children's Museum. There are also nature centers, playgrounds, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.

Is Cleveland or Pasadena Better for Couples?

Pasadena is a nice place to visit for romance. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Pasadena is a nice destination for couples. It's a charming town with a bit of a European vibe and plenty of outdoor activities. Fine dining and interesting shopping make this a nice weekend destination.

Most people don't think of Cleveland as a couple's destination. There are several romantic date night activities like boat rides on Lake Erie or dining at a nice restaurant.

Is Cleveland or Pasadena Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Pasadena is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Pasadena has some public transit options. Buses and light rail offer local transit and connect the city to nearby Los Angeles.

Public transit is generally limited in Cleveland. There are bus, trolley, and train lines through the city, but a car is the most efficient way to get around.

Is Cleveland or Pasadena a more walkable city?

Pasadena is a nice place to visit for its walkability. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

Pasadena is somewhat walkable. Most people head to Old Pasadena, which is the most concentrated and walkable part of the city.

Cleveland is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are more walkable than others (Downtown, Ohio City and Buckeye - Shaker), most visitors need a car to easily access everything they wish to do.

For even more information, also check out Is Cleveland Worth Visiting? and Is Pasadena Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pasadena or Cleveland?

How long in Cleveland or Pasadena?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cleveland and Pasadena. In our opinion, Pasadena has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Pasadena than Cleveland. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Pasadena than Cleveland. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Pasadena, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Pasadena than Cleveland. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Pasadena that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pasadena than Cleveland if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Pasadena.

One day in Cleveland or Pasadena?

The city of Cleveland offers live music and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Pasadena. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pasadena has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Cleveland or Pasadena?

Cleveland is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cleveland, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Pasadena. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Cleveland or Pasadena?

Cleveland is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming city of Pasadena. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Cleveland or Pasadena?

Cleveland is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Pasadena is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cleveland and Pasadena, we can see that Cleveland is more expensive. And not only is Pasadena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pasadena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pasadena and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Cleveland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cleveland than you might in Pasadena.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cleveland Expensive? and Is Pasadena Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cleveland or Pasadena?

Cleveland has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Pasadena. When comparing the sizes of Cleveland and Pasadena, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Cleveland or Pasadena?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Cleveland or Pasadena in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cleveland as well as Pasadena. Many travelers come to Cleveland for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Pasadena in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Cleveland is generally around the same temperature as Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Cleveland average around 75°F (24°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

Cleveland receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cleveland usually gets more rain in July than Pasadena. Cleveland gets 4 inches (101 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cleveland or Pasadena in the Autumn?

Both Pasadena and Cleveland are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cleveland in the autumn for the shopping scene and the music scene. Also, most visitors come to Pasadena for the shopping scene during these months.

Cleveland is much colder than Pasadena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cleveland averages around 56°F (13°C) in October, and Pasadena fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In October, Cleveland usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Cleveland gets 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cleveland or Pasadena in the Winter?

Both Pasadena and Cleveland during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cleveland for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Pasadena because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Cleveland can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Cleveland is much colder than Pasadena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cleveland in January average around 28°F (-2°C), and Pasadena averages at about 56°F (13°C).

Cleveland usually gets less rain in January than Pasadena. Cleveland gets 1.5 inches (39 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cleveland or Pasadena in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cleveland and Pasadena.

In April, Cleveland is generally much colder than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Cleveland average around 51°F (10°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In April, Cleveland usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Cleveland gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Cleveland