3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in South Pasadena, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in South Pasadena, California as of October 2026. That's +45% higher than the citywide median of $2,649 and +80% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,579 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,600 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,650 |
| 4 | Westmont | $1,663 |
| 5 | California City | $1,720 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,750 |
| 7 | Red Bluff | $1,780 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,820 |
| 9 | Oroville | $1,840 |
| 10 | Paradise | $1,860 |
| 11 | Florin | $1,875 |
| 12 | Isla Vista | $1,904 |
| 13 | Eureka | $1,910 |
| 14 | Porterville | $1,910 |
| 15 | Fortuna | $1,920 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $6,010 |
| 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 | Millbrae | $5,080 |
| 15 | Santa Barbara | $5,050 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than South Pasadena.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs South Pasadena |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alhambra, CA | 2.3 mi | $3,065 | $-775 (-20%) |
| Pasadena, CA | 3.4 mi | $3,922 | +$82 (+2%) |
| Monterey Park, CA | 4.4 mi | $2,950 | $-890 (-23%) |
| San Gabriel, CA | 4.5 mi | $3,325 | $-515 (-13%) |
| East Los Angeles, CA | 5.2 mi | $2,940 | $-900 (-23%) |
| Rosemead, CA | 5.8 mi | $2,940 | $-900 (-23%) |
| Altadena, CA | 6 mi | $3,790 | $-50 (-1%) |
| Montebello, CA | 7.2 mi | $2,970 | $-870 (-23%) |
| Los Angeles, CA | 7.2 mi | $3,672 | $-168 (-4%) |
| Glendale, CA | 7.7 mi | $3,775 | $-65 (-2%) |
| Arcadia, CA | 8.4 mi | $3,535 | $-305 (-8%) |
| Sierra Madre, CA | 8.4 mi | $3,620 | $-220 (-6%) |
3-Bedroom rent in South Pasadena — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in South Pasadena?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in South Pasadena, California is $3,840 per month. This is +45% higher than the citywide median of $2,649.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in South Pasadena?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $153,600 ($12,800/month gross), which works out to roughly $73.85/hour at a full-time job.
Is South Pasadena expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
South Pasadena's 3-bedroom median of $3,840 is +80% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 94th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does South Pasadena rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, South Pasadena ranks #257 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near South Pasadena?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Alhambra ($3,065), Monterey Park ($2,950), San Gabriel ($3,325).