Pasadena, California
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Pasadena.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Pasadena?
Pasadena, CA has a MapsToIt housing cost index of 254 (well above the U.S. housing-cost baseline; 100 = U.S. avg). Median home value is about $1,045,000 and median rent about $2,218, against national ACS medians of $303,400 and $1,348. Median household income is roughly $103,778. Typical commute is 30 minutes; summer highs average 81°F. Violent-offense rates run about 432 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 254U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $1,045,000U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $2,218U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $103,778U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 5.2%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 30 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 432per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 81°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Pasadena compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 137,195City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $103,778Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year32% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 254ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year154% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $1,045,000City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year244% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $2,218City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year65% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 5.2%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 30 min20% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 6749% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 432annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)26% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 2019.5annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)35% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 81°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals6.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 49°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals15.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 14.3 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals57% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 331As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals24% above U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Pasadena stayed roughly flat (+0.1%) from 137,111 in 2010 to 137,195 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Pasadena expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Pasadena runs 154 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 254 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $1,045,000 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $2,218 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Pasadena?
Budget first around $2,218/month rent or $1,045,000 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $1,045,000
- Median rent $2,218/month
- Median household income $103,778
What is the job market like in Pasadena?
Labor-market context for Pasadena: unemployment 5.2% and median income $103,778. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 5.2% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $103,778
How long is the typical commute in Pasadena?
Plan on roughly 30 minutes each way in Pasadena. Walk Score estimates around 67 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 30 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 67/100
Is Pasadena safer than similar U.S. cities?
Pasadena's FBI-derived violent rate (~432/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 432 per 100k
- Property 2019.5 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Pasadena?
Pasadena's climate profile: 81°F summer peaks, 49°F winter mornings, 14.3" annual rainfall, and 331 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 81°F
- Winter low 49°F
- 14.3 in rain · 331 sunny days
About 137,195 people live in Pasadena, CA. Median household income is roughly $103,778, while the ACS housing-cost index sits near 254 — well above the national housing-cost baseline (100 ≈ U.S. average). Ownership is a high bar — typical values near $1,045,000 push many newcomers toward renting first.
Pasadena is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Pasadena with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Pacific weather, wildfire seasons, and housing scarcity dominate relocation tradeoffs. Roughly 331 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Plan on roughly 30 minutes each way for a typical commute; Walk Score is about 67. Unemployment recently ran near 5.2%, broadly in line with many large U.S. counties. Violent-offense rates near 432 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Pasadena city, 1600000US0656000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Los Angeles County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00093134 LOS ANGELES DWTN USC CAMPUS) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10