1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Pasadena, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Pasadena, California as of July 2026. That's +17% lower than the citywide median of $2,939 and +75% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Pasadena
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Pasadena
Compare Pasadena's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Pasadena.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Pasadena |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Marino, CA | 2.6 mi | $2,290 | $-157 (-6%) |
| Altadena, CA | 2.9 mi | $2,360 | $-87 (-4%) |
| South Pasadena, CA | 3.4 mi | $2,390 | $-57 (-2%) |
| San Gabriel, CA | 4.5 mi | $2,080 | $-367 (-15%) |
| Alhambra, CA | 4.8 mi | $1,910 | $-537 (-22%) |
| Sierra Madre, CA | 6 mi | $2,260 | $-187 (-8%) |
| La Canada Flintridge, CA | 6.8 mi | $3,120 | +$673 (+28%) |
| Arcadia, CA | 6.9 mi | $2,210 | $-237 (-10%) |
| Rosemead, CA | 6.9 mi | $1,810 | $-637 (-26%) |
| Monterey Park, CA | 7 mi | $1,830 | $-617 (-25%) |
| Glendale, CA | 8.3 mi | $2,356 | $-91 (-4%) |
| East Los Angeles, CA | 8.5 mi | $1,810 | $-637 (-26%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Pasadena — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Pasadena?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Pasadena, California is $2,447 per month. This is +17% below the citywide median of $2,939.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Pasadena?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $97,880 ($8,157/month gross), which works out to roughly $47.06/hour at a full-time job.
Is Pasadena expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Pasadena's 1-bedroom median of $2,447 is +75% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 94th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Pasadena rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Pasadena ranks #266 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Pasadena?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include San Marino ($2,290), Altadena ($2,360), South Pasadena ($2,390).