Cost of Living in Pasadena, California
In Pasadena, the median household income is $105,192 and the median gross rent is $2,265/mo, with a median home value of $1,093,300. Source: Census Bureau ACS, 2020-2024 estimates.
- Median household income
- $105,192
- Median gross rent
- $2,265/mo
- Median home value
- $1,093,300
- Population
- 136,969
How Pasadena compares to the California average
| Measure | Pasadena, CA | California statewide | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $105,192 | $99,122 | +6.1% |
| Median gross rent (monthly) | $2,265 | $2,036 | +11.2% |
| Median home value | $1,093,300 | $734,700 | +48.8% |
Statewide, California prices average 110.7 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (2024), where the U.S. average is 100.
Housing affordability in Pasadena
- Salary needed for median rent
- $90,600
- Rent burden at median income
- 25.8%
- Est. affordable home price
- $383,733
So that $2,265/mo is 30% of gross income
Share of the median household income spent on median rent (30%+ = cost-burdened)
At median income, 6.67% 30-yr rate (FRED, 2026-08), 20% down, 28% front-end DTI
The median home value in Pasadena is $1,093,300 — +184.9% above what the median household income supports under these assumptions.
Estimates from documented formulas — see methodology. Not financial advice.
Cost of living in other California cities
About this data
- American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates — data period 2020-2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Regional Price Parities — data period 2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 13, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.