Rents are 9% below what South Pasadena's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,588 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
South Pasadena, CA is majority renter-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 73.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How South Pasadena, CA has changed in 5 years
Five years ago, renters in South Pasadena, CA paid around $2,212 a month. That figure now sits near $2,588, up 17.0% from the 2021 baseline. Census figures show median household income at $127,175 today, compared with $115,088 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show South Pasadena, CA losing about 769 residents over the five-year window, down 2.9% on net. The renter share has risen from 52.4% to 56%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 70.9% to 73.5% across the same window. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.
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Can you afford rent in South Pasadena on your salary?
At $2,588/mo, how South Pasadena rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
South Pasadena rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in South Pasadena. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in South Pasadena
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in South Pasadena is $2,588/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,130/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,020/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,390/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,840/mo.
At 24% of local median household income ($127,175/yr), South Pasadena ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 7.1% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is South Pasadena an affordable city for renters?
How much income do you need to rent in South Pasadena?
Is rent going up or down in South Pasadena?
How does South Pasadena rent compare to other cities in California?
What percentage of South Pasadena residents rent vs. own?
How does South Pasadena rent compare to the national average?
At $2,588/mo, rent takes ~24% of South Pasadena's median household income ($127,175/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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