| Index | South Pasadena | California | National |
| Cost of living | 228 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 110 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 120 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 488 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 117 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 118 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 119 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 114 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 129 | 127 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in South Pasadena can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The South Pasadena cost of living index is 228, which is 128% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, South Pasadena may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, South Pasadena falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
When it comes to the cost of living in South Pasadena, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 388.4% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
Recurring household expenses such as cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, toiletries, and kitchen basics are a steady part of monthly spending and make up 8% of the cost of living index. In South Pasadena, these everyday items will cost you 13.5% more than average, making it a slightly more expensive place to call home.
The substantial and relentless rise in grocery prices definitely warrants some attention. Over the past two years, grocery expenses have escalated by more than 10%. Having said that, the situation in South Pasadena is even less favorable, with grocery prices here being 10.4% higher than the national average.
Is South Pasadena affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in South Pasadena, the median home price is 514.8% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 93.4% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with South Pasadena boasting a median household income of $165,663, 103.7% higher than the national average.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In South Pasadena, the housing index is 388.4% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In South Pasadena, healthcare costs are 19.5% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In South Pasadena, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 7.25%, and income tax rates start at 1%.
The South Pasadena cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $266,273 | $22,189 | $6,213 | $7,989 |
| Renters | $131,141 | $10,928 | $3,060 | $3,935 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Vernon, CA | 254 | 117 | 16.8% |
| Willowbrook, CA | 25,347 | 136 | 36.0% |
| East Rancho Dominguez, CA | 15,765 | 136 | 36.3% |
| Florence-Graham, CA | 66,603 | 138 | 38.2% |
| Compton, CA | 98,731 | 139 | 38.7% |
| South Pasadena, CA | 26,308 | 228 | 128.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Cliffside Park, NJ | 26,315 | 145 | 44.5% |
| Carbondale, IL | 26,321 | 89 | 11.3% |
| Sebastian, FL | 26,323 | 109 | 8.6% |
| Holbrook, NY | 26,325 | 140 | 40.2% |
| Ruskin, FL | 26,287 | 104 | 3.8% |
| South Pasadena, CA | 26,308 | 228 | 128.5% |
Here are the best places to live in California
Most Dangerous States In The US
Check out the 10 safest cities in California
Safest States In The US