Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko
Looking to live in a quiet, charming place that’s big enough to give you that city vibe and still have that small-town feel and a sense of community? Pasadena, CA just might be the place for you.
Located just 10 miles from downtown Los Angeles, Pasadena is loved by its 140,000 residents for many reasons. This city gives a better bang for your buck, more space, and more greenery. It’s the perfect home for those who love the outdoors, culture, good food, and good health.
If you’re considering relocating to this lovely place, the cost of living in Pasadena, CA is something you need to know. Information about the cost of living in a specific place is helpful in learning the affordability of living in this location compared to your current place of residence.
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko
Simply put, cost of living is the amount of money needed to cover one’s basic expenses, such as housing, food, taxes, and healthcare, in a particular location and time period. It offers insights into the question, “Is Pasadena expensive?”
Learning about the cost-of-living index can help you assess if your plans of moving would be beneficial for you and your family, given your projected income. The indexes are based on a national average of 100.
So, for example, if the COL index of housing in a given area is 340.3, then it is 240.3% higher than the national average. Below is a table showing the cost of living in Pasadena, CA to give you an idea of how expensive or affordable this location is relative to the rest of the country.
Cost of Living | Pasadena | California | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
Overall | 185.8 | 149.9 | 100 |
Grocery | 104.5 | 105.1 | 100 |
Health | 86.7 | 98.3 | 100 |
Housing | 340.3 | 234.8 | 100 |
Utilities | 101 | 102.4 | 100 |
Transportation | 155.5 | 133.1 | 100 |
Miscellaneous | 133.4 | 118.7 | 100 |
The indexes above offer a Pasadena cost of living comparison with the state of California and the rest of the nation.
Based on the data, you can infer that the overall cost of living in Pasadena is higher than that of the rest of the state and of the nation. The highest basic expense is housing, at 340.3. This is followed by transportation and miscellaneous expenses.
Health care is the least expense in Pasadena, at 86.7, even lower than the state index.
What Is the Average Salary in Pasadena?
Aside from the average cost of living, Pasadena, CA average salary is another important piece of information for anyone planning to move to this city.
As of December 22, 2022, the average annual salary in Pasadena, CA is $60,488. This translates to an hourly wage of approximately $29.08, a weekly average of $1,163, and a monthly average of $5,040.
On average, salaries in Pasadena, CA range between $43,788 to $76,117 annually. Keep in mind that salaries will vary depending on your occupation, experience, and other factors.
Photo by Curtis Adams
What Is the Average Cost of Housing in Pasadena?
The typical home value of properties in Pasadena, CA is $1,155,820.
In Bungalow Heaven, one of Pasadena’s best neighborhoods, homes are priced between $800,000 and $1,000,000. In Garfield Heights, prospective residents looking for a single-family home can find properties ranging from $600,000 to $1,700,000. Quaint single-family homes for sale in Catalina Villas are sold for as low as around $700,000.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent in Pasadena?
The average rent prices in Pasadena, CA is between $1,668 and $3,420. For a studio apartment, the average rent is $1,668. A 1-bedroom apartment costs $2,522 on average, while a 2-bedroom apartment has an average monthly rent of $3,420.
Photo by Alesia Kozik
The Cost of Living in Pasadena, CA
The monthly average Pasadena cost of living is $2,856 for a single individual and $6,718 for a family of four. Below, we’ve listed the average cost of basic expenses, from grocery items to daycare, to give you an idea of how much living in this city will entail.
Average Cost of Food in Pasadena Restaurants
Item | Average Cost |
|---|---|
Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | $16.50 |
Three-Course Meal for 2 People at a Mid-Range Restaurant | $70.00 |
Combo Meal at a Fast-Food Restaurant | $10.00 |
Domestic Beer (0.5-liter draught) | $8.00 |
Imported Beer (0.33-liter bottle) | $8.00 |
Cappuccino (regular) | $5.08 |
Coke/Pepsi (0.33-liter bottle) | $2.67 |
Water (0.33-liter bottle) | $1.38 |
Average Cost of Groceries in Pasadena, CA
Item | Average Cost |
|---|---|
Milk (1 liter) | $1.17 |
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | $3.31 |
Eggs (regular, 12) | $2.60 |
Rice (white, 1kg) | $3.12 |
Local Cheese (1kg) | $17.63 |
Beef Round Back Leg Red Meat (1kg) | $19.08 |
Apples (1kg) | $3.62 |
Bananas (1kg) | $1.59 |
Oranges (1kg) | $3.07 |
Tomatoes (1kg) | $4.22 |
Potatoes (1kg) | $2.50 |
Onions (1kg) | $2.10 |
Lettuce (1 head) | $1.55 |
Water (1.5-liter bottle) | $1.40 |
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $15.00 |
Domestic Beer (0.5-liter bottle) | $3.09 |
Imported Beer (0.33-liter bottle) | $1.79 |
The Cost of Utilities in Pasadena, CA
Utilities | Pasadena, CA | United States |
|---|---|---|
All Electricity | $191.63 | $170.84 |
Phone | $187.64 | $187.18 |
Health Care Expenses in Pasadena, CA
Health Care Costs | Average Cost |
|---|---|
General Practitioner | $132.34 |
Dentist | $113.16 |
Optometrist | $122.57 |
Prescription Drug | $526.62 |
Veterinarian | $62.57 |
Transportation Expenses in Pasadena, CA
Transportation in Pasadena, CA | Average Cost |
|---|---|
Local Transport Ticket | $1.74 |
Monthly Ticket Local Transport | $99.70 |
Taxi Ride (8 km / 5 miles) | $16.40 |
Gas / Petroleum (1 liter / 0.26 gallon) | $1.64 |
Cost of Miscellaneous Expenses in
Miscellaneous Expenses | Average Cost |
|---|---|
Gym Membership (1 month) | $43.90 |
Cinema Ticket (1 person) | $18.00 |
Haircut | $16.60 |
Branded Jeans | $53.70 |
Branded Sneakers | $83.40 |
Daycare or Preschool (1 month) | $1,340 |
International Primary School (1 year) | $15,119 |
Conclusion
We hope that the information we provided in this article has been helpful for you as you assess whether moving here would be advantageous for you. In case you’d like to know your home options in this lovely location, please don’t hesitate to give me a call at 626-272-2365.
Frequently Asked Questions
How expensive is it to live in Pasadena, CA?
Living in Pasadena is 85.8% more expensive compared to the national average. The average cost of living in Pasadena, CA is $2,856 for a single individual and $6,718 for a family of four.
Are there any neighborhoods in Pasadena that are more affordable than others?
Yes, in fact, there are several affordable neighborhoods in Pasadena, including Bungalow Heaven, Garfield Heights, Historic Highlands, Olive Heights, Catalina Villas, Villa Parke, South Lake, and Caltech. I’d love to show you your home options given your budget. Contact me today!
If I am moving to Pasadena, what should I budget for monthly expenses?
The average monthly expenses would cost around $3,000 to $7,000, depending on how many are in the household.
