Cost of Living in Pasadena, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,262 (excluding rent), and $4,186 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,131 (excluding rent), and $7,584 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.64 $17.64

$9.8 $9.8

$22.54 $22.54

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$78.4 $78.4

$63.7 $63.7

$147 $147

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.69 $11.69

$10.17 $10.17

$13.22 $13.22

Cappuccino

$5 $5

$2.94 $2.94

$8.83 $8.83

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.21 $3.21

$3.03 $3.03

$3.54 $3.54

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.86 $2.86

$1.99 $1.99

$3.48 $3.48

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$10.03 $10.03

$8.02 $8.02

$10.03 $10.03

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$11.14 $11.14

$12.16 $12.16

Milk (1 liter)

$1.26 $1.26

$0.8 $0.8

$1.62 $1.62

White Bread (500g)

$4.93 $4.93

$3.36 $3.36

$7.85 $7.85

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.83 $2.83

$1.96 $1.96

$4.36 $4.36

Eggs

$5.38 $5.38

$2.93 $2.93

$7.82 $7.82

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.05 $16.05

$13.29 $13.29

$18.82 $18.82

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$18.08 $18.08

$10.85 $10.85

$26.05 $26.05

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.04 $13.04

$10.87 $10.87

$15.2 $15.2

Apples (1kg)

$3.53 $3.53

$2.14 $2.14

$4.29 $4.29

Banana (1kg)

$1.66 $1.66

$0.87 $0.87

$2.18 $2.18

Oranges (1kg)

$2.38 $2.38

$2.16 $2.16

$2.6 $2.6

Tomato (1kg)

$5.71 $5.71

$3.92 $3.92

$6.53 $6.53

Potato (1kg)

$5.63 $5.63

$2.14 $2.14

$11.27 $11.27

Onion (1kg)

$2.36 $2.36

$1.33 $1.33

$2.78 $2.78

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.81 $1.81

$1.48 $1.48

$1.98 $1.98

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.62 $1.62

$0.58 $0.58

$1.94 $1.94

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.43 $9.43

$7.86 $7.86

$11.8 $11.8

Wine (Bottle)

$14.94 $14.94

$7.97 $7.97

$21.92 $21.92

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.06 $2.06

$1.09 $1.09

$2.93 $2.93

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.66 $1.66

$1.34 $1.34

$1.98 $1.98

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.65 $1.65

$1.54 $1.54

$1.75 $1.75

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$51.7 $51.7

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.4 $3.4

$2.91 $2.91

$4.86 $4.86

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.6 $1.6

$1.53 $1.53

$2.15 $2.15

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.07 $29.07

$26.29 $26.29

$34.86 $34.86

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.28 $1.28

$1.16 $1.16

$1.43 $1.43

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29K $29K

$23.3K $23.3K

$35.4K $35.4K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$22.2K $22.2K

$27.2K $27.2K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$268 $268

$203 $203

$330 $330

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$50.9 $50.9

$43.09 $43.09

$60.1 $60.1

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$70.7 $70.7

$54.6 $54.6

$104 $104

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.41 $35.41

$17.71 $17.71

$50.6 $50.6

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$34.41 $34.41

Cinema Ticket

$19.23 $19.23

$12.15 $12.15

$22.27 $22.27

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$3,973 $3,973

$1,019 $1,019

$3,973 $3,973

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.9K $14.9K

$5,955 $5,955

$23.8K $23.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$90.7 $90.7

$30.25 $30.25

$90.7 $90.7

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.74 $39.74

$24.84 $24.84

$64.6 $64.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.8 $94.8

$55.6 $55.6

$142 $142

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$225 $225

$200 $200

$250 $250

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,486 $3,486

$2,843 $2,843

$4,062 $4,062

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,709 $2,709

$2,540 $2,540

$3,048 $3,048

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$5,423 $5,423

$4,540 $4,540

$7,062 $7,062

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$4,258 $4,258

$3,930 $3,930

$4,913 $4,913

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$9,470 $9,470

$6,556 $6,556

$10.9K $10.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$8,458 $8,458

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,168 $5,168

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.27

6.7

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Pasadena, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

In Pasadena, you get a balance between lifestyle and cost. It is not the cheapest corner of Southern California, but it offers value through walkable neighborhoods, good transit access, and proximity to nature. Housing options range from apartment buildings to older bungalows in established districts, with prices and rents varying by area and distance to the Gold Line. Dining and cultural options are plentiful, and you can find reliable coworking spaces and quiet cafes suited to remote work without the nonstop traffic of central LA. Cost of Living in Pasadena, CA, United States is a useful frame when you compare it to pricier markets, yet it still feels premium. Tip: Map your priorities and test them with a short visit.

In daily life terms, Pasadena offers a practical mix for housing search, groceries, and getting around. You will find a range of rental options in older craftsman neighborhoods near Old Pasadena and South Lake Avenue, from studios to 2-bedroom flats; housing tends to move quickly when a good unit appears, so have alerts ready and consider longer leases for pricing stability. Food options span farmers markets, middle-range grocers, and higher-end shops near old town. Transit is feasible with the Gold Line extension and reliable buses; many people walk or bike in nice weather. Pasadena, CA, United States living cost sits in a middle ground for this lifestyle. Tip: Prioritize a walkable cluster to minimize commute.

To maximize value, start with a simple budgeting framework: allocate a stable base for housing, then plan for groceries, dining, transit, and incidental costs. In Pasadena, you will get value by leaning into a neighborhood mix that reduces commuting time and saves on car costs: consider Old Pasadena for walkability and access to cafes, South Lake for amenities, or quieter residential blocks further east. Seasonal heat invites a higher summer AC bill, so factor that into monthly costs or choose shade-friendly units with good insulation. Look for flexible coworking options or library spaces to reduce workspace costs. Tip: Test your budget with a two-week stay before committing to a lease.