salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 86% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 12.0 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most households rent (56%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 73.5% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $121,920 a year. That is $59 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 514 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in South Pasadena?
Share of households by yearly income. 51.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in South Pasadena
| Size | South Pasadena | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,072 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,155 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,574 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is South 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 South Pasadena, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in South Pasadena
Life in South Pasadena
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in South Pasadena?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $8,331 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,640,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $164,000 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in South Pasadena, CA?
Renting in South Pasadena costs a median of about $3,048 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in South Pasadena?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $121,920 a year, or $59 an hour at a full-time job.
Is South Pasadena cheap or expensive?
South Pasadena is rated OK: rent takes 26.7% of the typical household income of $137,158. It ranks 514th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in South Pasadena?
The median homeowner in South Pasadena pays $9,937 a year in property taxes, about 0.61% of the median home value.
Is South 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 South Pasadena?
The median home value in South Pasadena is $1,640,000, about 12.0 times the typical yearly household income.
26,068 people live in South Pasadena. Numbers are typical (middle) values.