How much does it cost to rent in Pasadena, MD?

As of August 2026, the median monthly rent in Pasadena, MD is $2,486. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Pasadena cheaper than other Maryland cities?

Pasadena is one of the pricier cities in Maryland, ranking #17 out of 94 cities tracked at $2,486/mo.

When was Pasadena rent data last updated?

Pasadena rent data reflects August 2026 and was last refreshed on August 17, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

What is the Fair Market Rent in Pasadena, MD?

HUD sets the Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in Pasadena, MD at $2,490 per month, which is close to the $2,486 market median. Fair Market Rent is the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) payment standard. It is a 40th-percentile gross rent that includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash, and HUD updates it once a year, so it measures something different from current market asking rent.

City Report · MD

Pasadena

Name: Average Rent Prices in Pasadena, MD
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Pop. 34,309·17th most expensive in Maryland·Pasadena rents are up 5.3% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$2,486/mo

Year-over-Year

+5.3%

Month-over-Month

-1.9%

vs US Median

+$524

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Pasadena · $2,486

More expensive than 79% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo

Rent Reality Score

64/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 7% below what Pasadena's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,486/mo

Expected by trend

$2,668/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Pasadena's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,780

1 BR

$2,030

2 BR

$2,490

3 BR

$3,200

4 BR+

$3,580

Fair Market Rent (HUD)

$2,490/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,486 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost

$29,832/yr

At $2,486/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Balanced Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.

Based on rent-price momentum (+5.3% YoY, -1.9% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Pasadena, MD is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 38.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

34,309

Median income

$129,727

Median age

35.9

Renters

16.3%

Age distribution

20.8%

27.3%

26.7%

13.4%

Under 1820.8%

18–3427.3%

35–5426.7%

55–6413.4%

65+11.8%

Gender

50.3%

49.7%

Male50.3%

Female49.7%

Race & ethnicity

68.4%

17.6%

White68.4%

Black17.6%

Hispanic7.3%

Asian3.2%

Other3.5%

Education (25+)

27.2%

27.5%

38.2%

No HS diploma7.1%

HS diploma27.2%

Some college27.5%

Bachelor's+38.2%

Housing tenure

83.7%

16.3%

Owner83.7%

Renter16.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Pasadena, MD has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,920 → $2,486

up 29.5%

Income

$107,088 → $129,727

up 21.1%

Population

31,583 → 34,309

up 8.6%

Renter share

18.2% → 16.3%

-1.9 pts

Bachelor's+

32.7% → 38.2%

+5.5 pts

Since 2021, the typical rent in Pasadena, MD has increased from $1,920 to $2,486, a 29.5% change over five years. On the earnings side, the typical household in Pasadena, MD now reports about $129,727, up from $107,088 in 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 8.6% since 2021, moving from about 31,583 residents to roughly 34,309. Renters now make up 16.3% of households, compared with 18.2% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 38.2% of adults here, versus 32.7% in 2021. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Pasadena, MD reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Pasadena

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View Pasadena rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Pasadena on your salary?

At $2,486/mo, how Pasadena rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $102,038/yr · Rent = 29.2% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $72,446/yr · Rent = 41.2% income

rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $83,452/yr · Rent = 35.7% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $149,159/yr · Rent = 20% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $190,588/yr · Rent = 15.7% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $67,835/yr · Rent = 44% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $61,247/yr · Rent = 48.7% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $75,492/yr · Rent = 39.5% income

stretched

By apartment size

Pasadena rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Pasadena. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Pasadena

About renting in Pasadena, MD

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Pasadena is $2,486/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,780/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,490/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,030/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,200/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($129,727/yr), Pasadena ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Pasadena an affordable city for renters?

Pasadena is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,486/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($129,727/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Pasadena falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Pasadena?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $99,000/year (~$48/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,486/mo in Pasadena. The local median household income is $129,727/yr, meaning the typical Pasadena household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Pasadena?

Rent in Pasadena has increased 5.3% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Pasadena rent compare to other cities in Maryland?

Pasadena is one of the pricier cities in Maryland for rent, ranking #17 out of 94 tracked cities at $2,486/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Pasadena?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Pasadena ($2,486/mo): Dundalk ($1,581/mo), Brooklyn Park ($1,656/mo), Glen Burnie ($1,658/mo).

What percentage of Pasadena residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 16.3% of Pasadena households are renters, while 83.7% are owner-occupied. Pasadena leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Pasadena rent compare to the national average?

Pasadena's median rent of $2,486/mo is $524 (27%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Maryland, it ranks #17 out of 94 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

23%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,486/mo, rent takes ~23% of Pasadena's median household income ($129,727/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Pasadena 23%Benchmark 30%

State income tax2–5.75%

Run the Pasadena affordability calculator →

Nearby cities