At $3,814/mo, rent takes about 36% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,814 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($128,720) is $3,218 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($2,980); a 3-bedroom is $3,790.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Altadena. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Altadena, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 53.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Altadena, CA has changed in 5 years
Census figures show median household income at $128,720 today, compared with $109,743 five years earlier. The population has contracted by 3.9% since 2021, moving from about 43,384 residents to roughly 41,705. Renters now make up 23.1% of households, compared with 26.2% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 53.3% of adults here, versus 48.5% in 2021.
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At $3,814/mo, how Altadena rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Altadena rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Altadena. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Altadena
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Altadena is $3,814/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,110/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,980/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,360/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,790/mo.
At 36% of local median household income ($128,720/yr), Altadena ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Altadena?
How does Altadena rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Altadena?
At $3,814/mo, rent takes ~36% of Altadena's median household income ($128,720/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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