2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Pasadena, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Pasadena, California as of October 2026. That's +3% higher than the citywide median of $3,010 and +86% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $1,171 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | California City | $1,230 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 6 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 7 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 8 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 9 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 10 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 11 | Fortuna | $1,370 |
| 12 | Shafter | $1,380 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,390 |
| 14 | Hanford | $1,400 |
| 15 | Tehachapi | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 2 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 3 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 4 | Montecito | $4,540 |
| 5 | Cupertino | $4,500 |
| 6 | Capitola | $4,290 |
| 7 | Coronado | $4,280 |
| 8 | Tiburon | $4,210 |
| 9 | Los Altos | $4,170 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $4,070 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $4,040 |
| 12 | Solana Beach | $3,990 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $3,980 |
| 14 | Topanga | $3,940 |
| 15 | Rancho Palos Verdes | $3,940 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Pasadena.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Pasadena |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altadena, CA | 2.9 mi | $2,980 | $-107 (-3%) |
| South Pasadena, CA | 3.4 mi | $3,020 | $-67 (-2%) |
| San Gabriel, CA | 4.5 mi | $2,620 | $-467 (-15%) |
| Alhambra, CA | 4.8 mi | $2,410 | $-677 (-22%) |
| Sierra Madre, CA | 6 mi | $2,850 | $-237 (-8%) |
| La Canada Flintridge, CA | 6.8 mi | $3,940 | +$853 (+28%) |
| Arcadia, CA | 6.9 mi | $2,785 | $-302 (-10%) |
| Rosemead, CA | 6.9 mi | $2,290 | $-797 (-26%) |
| Monterey Park, CA | 7 mi | $2,310 | $-777 (-25%) |
| Glendale, CA | 8.3 mi | $2,971 | $-116 (-4%) |
| East Los Angeles, CA | 8.5 mi | $2,290 | $-797 (-26%) |
| La Crescenta-Montrose, CA | 8.8 mi | $3,110 | +$23 (+1%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Pasadena — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Pasadena?
As of October 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Pasadena, California is $3,087 per month. This is +3% higher than the citywide median of $3,010.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Pasadena?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $123,480 ($10,290/month gross), which works out to roughly $59.37/hour at a full-time job.
Is Pasadena expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Pasadena's 2-bedroom median of $3,087 is +86% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657. It ranks in the 95th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Pasadena rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, Pasadena ranks #275 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Pasadena?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Altadena ($2,980), South Pasadena ($3,020), San Gabriel ($2,620).