Studio Apartment Rent in South Pasadena, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in South Pasadena, California as of October 2026. That's +20% lower than the citywide median of $2,649 and +65% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florin | $738 |
| 2 | Taft | $870 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $890 |
| 5 | El Centro | $910 |
| 6 | Red Bluff | $930 |
| 7 | California City | $940 |
| 8 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 9 | Paradise | $970 |
| 10 | Eureka | $980 |
| 11 | Oroville | $985 |
| 12 | Fortuna | $990 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,050 |
| 14 | Anderson | $1,060 |
| 15 | Shafter | $1,060 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $3,570 |
| 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 | Sunnyvale | $3,010 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,000 |
| 13 | Irvine | $3,000 |
| 14 | Solana Beach | $2,970 |
| 15 | Saratoga | $2,910 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than South Pasadena.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs South Pasadena |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alhambra, CA | 2.3 mi | $1,700 | $-430 (-20%) |
| Pasadena, CA | 3.4 mi | $2,183 | +$53 (+2%) |
| Monterey Park, CA | 4.4 mi | $1,625 | $-505 (-24%) |
| San Gabriel, CA | 4.5 mi | $1,850 | $-280 (-13%) |
| East Los Angeles, CA | 5.2 mi | $1,600 | $-530 (-25%) |
| Rosemead, CA | 5.8 mi | $1,600 | $-530 (-25%) |
| Altadena, CA | 6 mi | $2,110 | $-20 (-1%) |
| Montebello, CA | 7.2 mi | $1,650 | $-480 (-23%) |
| Los Angeles, CA | 7.2 mi | $2,035 | $-95 (-4%) |
| Glendale, CA | 7.7 mi | $2,099 | $-31 (-1%) |
| Arcadia, CA | 8.4 mi | $1,965 | $-165 (-8%) |
| Sierra Madre, CA | 8.4 mi | $2,010 | $-120 (-6%) |
Studio rent in South Pasadena — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in South Pasadena?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in South Pasadena, California is $2,130 per month. This is +20% below the citywide median of $2,649.
What income do you need to afford a studio in South Pasadena?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $85,200 ($7,100/month gross), which works out to roughly $40.96/hour at a full-time job.
Is South Pasadena expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
South Pasadena's studio median of $2,130 is +65% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 91th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does South Pasadena rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, South Pasadena ranks #240 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near South Pasadena?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Alhambra ($1,700), Monterey Park ($1,625), San Gabriel ($1,850).