What are the schools like in Pasadena, CA?

Pasadena is served primarily by Pasadena Unified. The district operates 14 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 5 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 21.1:1.

What is the median household income in Pasadena?

The median household income in Pasadena, CA is $97,818 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 5.2%.

What is the weather like in Pasadena, CA?

Pasadena has an average high temperature of 68.1°F in January and 89.1°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 20.1 inches.

Pasadena, CA Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Pasadena, CA affordable or expensive?

Pasadena's cost of living index is 116, where 100 represents the national average. This means Pasadena is 16% more expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $981,600 and the median rent is $2,100 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Pasadena, CA?

Pasadena has a violent crime rate of 480.4 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 2696.9 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Pasadena, CA a Good Place to Live?

Pasadena is a mid-sized city of 137,554 in California, with a median household income of $97,818 and a 5.2% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 116 (US average = 100), which is 16% above the national average.

Strengths: Pasadena stands out for solid school ratings (B+), a well-educated population.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an above-average cost of living, high home prices, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Pasadena is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Pasadena city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 115.5

Pasadena's overall cost of living index is 115.5, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Pasadena costs roughly 16% more than the average American city.

Metric	Pasadena, CA	National Avg
Median Home Value	$981,600	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$2,100	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	42.1%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$97,818	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Near National Average

Pasadena's violent crime rate is 480.4 per 100,000 residents — 26% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

480.4 /100k

Property Crime

2696.9 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Pasadena is served primarily by Pasadena Unified. The student-to-teacher ratio is 21.1:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Pasadena, CA	National Avg
School District	Pasadena Unified	—
Elementary Schools	14	—
Middle Schools	3	—
High Schools	5	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	21.1:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	54.5%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	89.6%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Pasadena sees average highs of 68.1°F in January and 89.1°F in July, with 20.1 inches of annual precipitation .

Metric	Pasadena, CA
Average High — January	68.1°F
Average High — July	89.1°F
Annual Precipitation	20.1"
Annual Snowfall	Trace / None

Demographics

Metric	Pasadena, CA	National Avg
Population	137,554	—
Median Age	39.9	38.9
Unemployment Rate	5.2%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	27.9 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	43.0%	59.3%
Black or African American	8.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	25.7%	18.9%
Asian	17.8%	6.3%
Under 18	17.0%	22.2%
65 and over	16.8%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Altadena, CA 2 mi San Pasqual, CA 3 mi San Marino, CA 3 mi South Pasadena, CA 4 mi East Pasadena, CA 4 mi

ZIP Codes in Pasadena

Pasadena, CA is covered by 7 ZIP codes:

91107 91103 91105 91104 91106 91101 91125

Pasadena vs Other Cities

Pasadena, CA vs Altadena, CA Pasadena, CA vs San Pasqual, CA Pasadena, CA vs San Marino, CA Pasadena, CA vs South Pasadena, CA Pasadena, CA vs East Pasadena, CA

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pasadena, CA affordable or expensive?

Pasadena's cost of living index is 116, where 100 is the national average. That puts Pasadena roughly 16% above the national average in cost. The median home price is $981,600 and median rent is $2,100/month.

What is the crime rate in Pasadena, CA?

Pasadena's violent crime rate is 480.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2696.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Pasadena?

Public schools in Pasadena are operated by Pasadena Unified. The district has 14 elementary, 3 middle, and 5 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 21.1:1. 54.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Pasadena, CA a good place to live?

Pasadena, CA has a population of 137,554, a median household income of $97,818, and an unemployment rate of 5.2%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Pasadena?

Pasadena averages 68.1°F in January and 89.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 20.1 inches . Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Pasadena?

Pasadena, CA is covered by 7 ZIP codes: 91107, 91103, 91105, 91104, 91106, 91101, 91125.

What is the population of Pasadena?

The population of Pasadena, California is 137,554 with a median age of 39.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Pasadena?

Key numbers for living in Pasadena: cost of living index 116 (100 = US average), median home $981,600, median household income $97,818, crime index 127 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Pasadena side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.