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City Report · CA

Altadena

Pop. 41,705·112th most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,255/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-11.8%
vs US Median
+$1,293
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Altadena · $3,255
More expensive than 93% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
30% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,255/mo, rent takes about 30% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$130,000/yr
Local median income
$128,720/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Altadena's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,110
1 BR
$2,360
2 BR
$2,980
3 BR
$3,790
4 BR+
$4,200
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,980/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,255 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$39,060/yr
At $3,255/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -11.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
41,705
Median income
$128,720
Median age
46.4
Renters
23.1%
Age distribution
19.1%
16.4%
26.5%
15.9%
22%
Under 1819.1%
18–3416.4%
35–5426.5%
55–6415.9%
65+22%
Gender
47.3%
52.7%
Male47.3%
Female52.7%
Race & ethnicity
43.1%
17.2%
26.7%
White43.1%
Black17.2%
Hispanic26.7%
Asian6.5%
Other6.5%
Education (25+)
14.7%
23.6%
53.3%
No HS diploma8.4%
HS diploma14.7%
Some college23.6%
Bachelor's+53.3%
Housing tenure
76.9%
23.1%
Owner76.9%
Renter23.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Altadena, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$109,743 → $128,720
up 17.3%
Population
43,384 → 41,705
down 3.9%
Renter share
26.2% → 23.1%
-3.1 pts
Bachelor's+
48.5% → 53.3%
+4.8 pts
Median age
43.9 → 46.4
+2.5 yrs

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.

Community

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View Altadena rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Altadena on your salary?

At $3,255/mo, how Altadena rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Altadena rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Altadena. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Altadena

About renting in Altadena, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Altadena is $3,255/mo as of August 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 30% 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.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Altadena an affordable city for renters?

Altadena is considered moderate for renters. At $3,255/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($128,720/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Altadena slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Altadena?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $130,000/year (~$63/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,255/mo in Altadena. The local median household income is $128,720/yr, meaning the typical Altadena household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Altadena?

Rent in Altadena has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Altadena rent compare to other cities in California?

Altadena is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #112 out of 381 tracked cities at $3,255/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Altadena?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Altadena ($3,255/mo): South Pasadena ($2,588/mo), Sierra Madre ($2,890/mo), Pasadena ($2,984/mo).

What percentage of Altadena residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 23.1% of Altadena households are renters, while 76.9% are owner-occupied. Altadena leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Altadena rent compare to the national average?

Altadena's median rent of $3,255/mo is $1,293 (66%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #112 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $3,255/mo, rent takes ~30% of Altadena's median household income ($128,720/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Altadena 30%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Altadena affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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Schools nearby

Public schools near Altadena, CA

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