Studio Apartment Rent in Pasadena, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Pasadena, California as of July 2026. That's +26% lower than the citywide median of $2,939 and +69% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Pasadena
Compare Pasadena's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florin | $738 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $838 |
| 3 | Taft | $870 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $890 |
| 5 | El Centro | $910 |
| 6 | Barstow | $920 |
| 7 | Red Bluff | $930 |
| 8 | California City | $940 |
| 9 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 10 | Paradise | $970 |
| 11 | Eureka | $980 |
| 12 | Oroville | $985 |
| 13 | Florence-Graham | $1,029 |
| 14 | Porterville | $1,050 |
| 15 | Anderson | $1,060 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $3,520 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $3,420 |
| 3 | Aptos | $3,420 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $3,410 |
| 5 | Coronado | $3,190 |
| 6 | Ladera Ranch | $3,140 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,130 |
| 8 | Foster City | $3,130 |
| 9 | Newport Beach | $3,102 |
| 10 | Capitola | $3,100 |
| 11 | Coto de Caza | $3,070 |
| 12 | Sunnyvale | $3,010 |
| 13 | Santa Barbara | $3,000 |
| 14 | Irvine | $3,000 |
| 15 | Solana Beach | $2,970 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Pasadena.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Pasadena |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Marino, CA | 2.6 mi | $2,040 | $-143 (-7%) |
| Altadena, CA | 2.9 mi | $2,110 | $-73 (-3%) |
| South Pasadena, CA | 3.4 mi | $2,130 | $-53 (-2%) |
| San Gabriel, CA | 4.5 mi | $1,850 | $-333 (-15%) |
| Alhambra, CA | 4.8 mi | $1,700 | $-483 (-22%) |
| Sierra Madre, CA | 6 mi | $2,010 | $-173 (-8%) |
| La Canada Flintridge, CA | 6.8 mi | $2,790 | +$607 (+28%) |
| Arcadia, CA | 6.9 mi | $1,965 | $-218 (-10%) |
| Rosemead, CA | 6.9 mi | $1,600 | $-583 (-27%) |
| Monterey Park, CA | 7 mi | $1,625 | $-558 (-26%) |
| Glendale, CA | 8.3 mi | $2,099 | $-84 (-4%) |
| East Los Angeles, CA | 8.5 mi | $1,600 | $-583 (-27%) |
Studio rent in Pasadena — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Pasadena?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Pasadena, California is $2,183 per month. This is +26% below the citywide median of $2,939.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Pasadena?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $87,320 ($7,277/month gross), which works out to roughly $41.98/hour at a full-time job.
Is Pasadena expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Pasadena's studio median of $2,183 is +69% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 93th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Pasadena rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 383 cities in California with studio data, Pasadena ranks #263 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Pasadena?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include San Marino ($2,040), Altadena ($2,110), South Pasadena ($2,130).