Is Pasadena Expensive?

Los Angeles, United States

-8% vs Los Angeles avg

Living in Pasadena, Los Angeles

Pasadena is a relatively affordable area in Los Angeles, with a cost of living index of 70.2 — that is -8% compared to the Los Angeles average. At #21 of 30, it is below the city average in cost. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $2,208/month, compared to a range of $1,728 in Inglewood to $3,480 in Bel Air.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Pasadena, housing takes up roughly 41% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 15%, while transportation costs around 8%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately $88,320 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Pasadena

Salaries in Pasadena reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 70.2:

After tax and deductions of 29.6% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $88,320 would be roughly $62,177/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

70.2
COLI Index
0.92x
vs City Avg
$2,208
Est. 1BR Rent
#21
of 30 Areas
29.6%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Pasadena

Estimated annual deductions on a $52,650 salary in Pasadena, Los Angeles (local employee).

Income Tax
13%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (CA)
9.3%
Total Deductions: 29.6%
Est. Take-Home: $37,090/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in Pasadena would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $52,650
London GBP £45,310
Dubai AED AED 263,449

Other Neighborhoods in Los Angeles

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
Bel Air 110.6 1.45x +45%
Malibu 108.3 1.42x +42%
Beverly Hills 106.8 1.40x +40%
Manhattan Beach 99.2 1.30x +30%
Santa Monica 95.4 1.25x +25%

View all 30 neighborhoods in Los Angeles →

Convert Your Salary

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Los Angeles City Comparisons

New York vs Los Angeles

Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Pasadena:

Brookland, Washington DC Silver Spring (MD), Washington DC Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia Conshohocken, Philadelphia Jurong East, Singapore Vanløse, Copenhagen

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pasadena expensive in Los Angeles?

Pasadena is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Los Angeles. It costs about -8% less than the city average, ranking #21 out of 30 neighborhoods.

How does Pasadena compare to the Los Angeles average?

The cost of living in Pasadena is below the Los Angeles average. With a multiplier of 0.92x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are -8% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Census Bureau · OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.