City Report · TX

Pasadena

Pop. 149,433·204th most expensive in Texas·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,407/mo
Year-over-Year
+3.1%
Month-over-Month
+2.5%
vs US Median
-$555
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Pasadena · $1,407
More affordable than 81% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
59/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% below what Pasadena's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,407/mo
Expected by trend
$1,474/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
$1,123
1 BR
$1,173
2 BR
$1,400
3 BR
$1,870
4 BR+
$2,350
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,400/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,407 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

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$16,884/yr
At $1,407/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 3.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+3.1% YoY, +2.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Pasadena, TX is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 16.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
149,433
Median income
$64,927
Median age
33
Renters
45.5%
Age distribution
28%
25%
23.4%
Under 1828%
18–3425%
35–5423.4%
55–6411.7%
65+11.8%
Gender
50.5%
49.5%
Male50.5%
Female49.5%
Race & ethnicity
36.1%
70.9%
White36.1%
Black3.6%
Hispanic70.9%
Asian1.9%
Education (25+)
26.7%
31%
26%
16.2%
No HS diploma26.7%
HS diploma31%
Some college26%
Bachelor's+16.2%
Housing tenure
54.5%
45.5%
Owner54.5%
Renter45.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Pasadena, TX has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,160 → $1,407
up 21.3%
Income
$61,182 → $64,927
up 6.1%
Population
151,964 → 149,433
down 1.7%
Renter share
46.4% → 45.5%
-0.9 pts
Bachelor's+
14.9% → 16.2%
+1.3 pts
Median age
31.7 → 33
+1.3 yrs

The median rent in Pasadena, TX stood at $1,160 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,407, reflecting a 21.3% increase over the period. Median household income rose from $61,182 to $64,927 between 2021 and 2024, a 6.1% shift. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 1.7% since 2021, moving from about 151,964 residents to roughly 149,433. Taken together, the five-year picture in Pasadena, TX reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

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View Pasadena rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Pasadena on your salary?

At $1,407/mo, how Pasadena rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

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, TX

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Pasadena is $1,407/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,123/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,400/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,173/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,870/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($64,927/yr), Pasadena ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Pasadena an affordable city for renters?

Pasadena is considered affordable for renters. At $1,407/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($64,927/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 $56,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,407/mo in Pasadena. The local median household income is $64,927/yr, meaning the typical Pasadena household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Pasadena?

Rent in Pasadena has increased 3.1% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Pasadena neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Pasadena are 77504 ($1,245/mo), 77503 ($1,257/mo), and 77506 ($1,384/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Pasadena is $1,407/mo.

How does Pasadena rent compare to other cities in Texas?

Pasadena is one of the more affordable cities in Texas for rent, ranking #204 out of 267 tracked cities at $1,407/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Pasadena?

Webster is nearby and more affordable at $1,354/mo, which is $53 less than Pasadena.

What percentage of Pasadena residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 45.5% of Pasadena households are renters, while 54.5% 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 $1,407/mo is $555 (28%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Texas, it ranks #204 out of 267 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,407/mo, rent takes ~26% of Pasadena's median household income ($64,927/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Pasadena 26%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Pasadena affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Pasadena, TX

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