salaryRent is higher than in 82% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 9.1 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. It is a highly educated city: 56.8% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $94,520 a year. That is $45 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 330 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in East Pasadena?
Share of households by yearly income. 44.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in East Pasadena
| Size | East Pasadena | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,502 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,458 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,565 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,474 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is East Pasadena overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for East Pasadena, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in East Pasadena
Life in East Pasadena
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in East Pasadena?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $5,056 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,069,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $106,920 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in East Pasadena, CA?
Renting in East Pasadena costs a median of about $2,363 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in East Pasadena?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $94,520 a year, or $45 an hour at a full-time job.
Is East Pasadena cheap or expensive?
East Pasadena is rated OK: rent takes 24.1% of the typical household income of $117,703. It ranks 330th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in East Pasadena?
The median homeowner in East Pasadena pays $7,823 a year in property taxes, about 0.73% of the median home value.
Is East Pasadena more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in East Pasadena?
The median home value in East Pasadena is $1,069,200, about 9.1 times the typical yearly household income.
5,479 people live in East Pasadena. Numbers are typical (middle) values.