salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. A typical house costs about 9.6 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most households rent (58%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 56.1% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $119,880 a year. That is $58 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 496 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Pasadena?
Share of households by yearly income. 42.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Pasadena
| Size | Pasadena | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,984 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,115 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,605 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,113 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Pasadena overall?
Everyday prices in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area are 14% above the U.S. average (index 113.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Pasadena
Life in Pasadena
What jobs pay in Pasadena
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $194,410 | 18.5% |
| Physician Assistant | $161,890 | 22.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $161,470 | 22.3% |
| Software Developer | $160,920 | 22.3% |
| Pharmacist | $157,440 | 22.8% |
| Registered Nurse | $135,560 | 26.5% |
| Operations Manager | $125,830 | 28.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $122,980 | 29.2% |
| Police Officer | $121,980 | 29.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $121,560 | 29.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $108,640 | 33.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $101,860 | 35.3% |
| Firefighter | $98,050 | 36.7% |
| Accountant | $94,360 | 38.1% |
| Market Research Analyst | $82,990 | 43.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $79,310 | 45.3% |
| Carpenter | $75,740 | 47.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $73,830 | 48.7% |
| Electrician | $73,810 | 48.7% |
| Plumber | $71,110 | 50.6% |
| Truck Driver | $60,340 | 59.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,840 | 73.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,760 | 75.3% |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,380 | 75.9% |
| Restaurant Cook | $44,460 | 80.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,390 | 84.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,700 | 95.4% |
| Cashier | $36,980 | 97.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $35,850 | 100.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Pasadena?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $4,589 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,093,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $109,330 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Pasadena, CA?
Renting in Pasadena costs a median of about $2,997 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Pasadena?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $119,880 a year, or $58 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Pasadena cheap or expensive?
Pasadena is rated Expensive: rent takes 31.7% of the typical household income of $113,450. It ranks 496th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Pasadena?
The median homeowner in Pasadena pays $6,843 a year in property taxes, about 0.63% of the median home value.
Is Pasadena more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 14% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Pasadena?
The median home value in Pasadena is $1,093,300, about 9.6 times the typical yearly household income.
136,969 people live in Pasadena. Numbers are typical (middle) values.