1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in South Pasadena, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in South Pasadena, California as of July 2026. That's +7% lower than the citywide median of $2,565 and +71% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in South 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 South Pasadena
Compare South 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 South Pasadena.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs South Pasadena |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alhambra, CA | 2.3 mi | $1,910 | $-480 (-20%) |
| San Marino, CA | 3.2 mi | $2,290 | $-100 (-4%) |
| Pasadena, CA | 3.4 mi | $2,447 | +$57 (+2%) |
| Monterey Park, CA | 4.4 mi | $1,830 | $-560 (-23%) |
| San Gabriel, CA | 4.5 mi | $2,080 | $-310 (-13%) |
| East Los Angeles, CA | 5.2 mi | $1,810 | $-580 (-24%) |
| Rosemead, CA | 5.8 mi | $1,810 | $-580 (-24%) |
| Altadena, CA | 6 mi | $2,360 | $-30 (-1%) |
| Montebello, CA | 7.2 mi | $1,860 | $-530 (-22%) |
| Los Angeles, CA | 7.2 mi | $2,285 | $-105 (-4%) |
| Glendale, CA | 7.7 mi | $2,356 | $-34 (-1%) |
| Arcadia, CA | 8.4 mi | $2,210 | $-180 (-8%) |
1-Bedroom rent in South Pasadena — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in South Pasadena?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in South Pasadena, California is $2,390 per month. This is +7% below the citywide median of $2,565.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in South Pasadena?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $95,600 ($7,967/month gross), which works out to roughly $45.96/hour at a full-time job.
Is South Pasadena expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
South Pasadena's 1-bedroom median of $2,390 is +71% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 93th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does South Pasadena rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, South Pasadena ranks #254 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near South Pasadena?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Alhambra ($1,910), San Marino ($2,290), Monterey Park ($1,830).