3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Pasadena, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Pasadena, California as of July 2026. That's +33% higher than the citywide median of $2,939 and +84% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,492 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,600 |
| 3 | Barstow | $1,639 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $1,650 |
| 5 | Westmont | $1,663 |
| 6 | California City | $1,720 |
| 7 | Clearlake | $1,750 |
| 8 | Red Bluff | $1,780 |
| 9 | El Centro | $1,820 |
| 10 | Florence-Graham | $1,835 |
| 11 | Oroville | $1,840 |
| 12 | Paradise | $1,860 |
| 13 | Florin | $1,875 |
| 14 | Isla Vista | $1,904 |
| 15 | Eureka | $1,910 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $6,055 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $5,870 |
| 3 | Aptos | $5,870 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $5,850 |
| 5 | Coronado | $5,720 |
| 6 | Foster City | $5,690 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $5,380 |
| 8 | Capitola | $5,340 |
| 9 | Solana Beach | $5,330 |
| 10 | Tiburon | $5,250 |
| 11 | Ladera Ranch | $5,250 |
| 12 | Newport Beach | $5,178 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $5,173 |
| 14 | Coto de Caza | $5,130 |
| 15 | Millbrae | $5,080 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Pasadena.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Pasadena |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Marino, CA | 2.6 mi | $3,670 | $-252 (-6%) |
| Altadena, CA | 2.9 mi | $3,790 | $-132 (-3%) |
| South Pasadena, CA | 3.4 mi | $3,840 | $-82 (-2%) |
| San Gabriel, CA | 4.5 mi | $3,325 | $-597 (-15%) |
| Alhambra, CA | 4.8 mi | $3,065 | $-857 (-22%) |
| Sierra Madre, CA | 6 mi | $3,620 | $-302 (-8%) |
| La Canada Flintridge, CA | 6.8 mi | $5,010 | +$1,088 (+28%) |
| Arcadia, CA | 6.9 mi | $3,535 | $-387 (-10%) |
| Rosemead, CA | 6.9 mi | $2,940 | $-982 (-25%) |
| Monterey Park, CA | 7 mi | $2,950 | $-972 (-25%) |
| Glendale, CA | 8.3 mi | $3,775 | $-147 (-4%) |
| East Los Angeles, CA | 8.5 mi | $2,940 | $-982 (-25%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Pasadena — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Pasadena?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Pasadena, California is $3,922 per month. This is +33% higher than the citywide median of $2,939.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Pasadena?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $156,880 ($13,073/month gross), which works out to roughly $75.42/hour at a full-time job.
Is Pasadena expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Pasadena's 3-bedroom median of $3,922 is +84% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 95th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Pasadena rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Pasadena ranks #267 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Pasadena?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include San Marino ($3,670), Altadena ($3,790), South Pasadena ($3,840).