Pasadena, CA, known as 'The Crown City,' offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern urban amenities. Located in Los Angeles County, Pasadena is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Los Angeles (10 miles) and Glendale (8 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Pasadena's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Pasadena is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Rose Bowl Stadium, the historic Pasadena Playhouse, and the scenic Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Descanso Gardens to the bustling Old Pasadena, known for its shopping and dining. Pasadena's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Californian cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Tournament of Roses Parade and the Pasadena Chalk Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Pasadena's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like the California Institute of Technology contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Pasadena is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Norton Simon Museum and the Pasadena Museum of California Art are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Pasadena provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Pasadena’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB) and the Los Angeles Rams (NFL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Pasadena include healthcare, education, and technology, with significant employers such as Huntington Hospital and Jet Propulsion Laboratory driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and light rail, making commuting convenient for residents. Pasadena enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters, perfect for enjoying outdoor activities year-round.
Amenities
A wealth of amenities, such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks and fitness facilities, are all conveniently located within walking distance.
Commute
An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.
Employment
Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.
Ratings
Based on recent surveys and polls, locals gave high marks in the walkability to local amenities, safety, public transit, friendliness of neighbors and overall sense of community in the area.
Cost Of Living
Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.
Pasadena, California is a medium-sized city with a population of 142,017 people. Pasadena has a population density of 6,185 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. More than a quarter of the residents of Pasadena identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 27% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. Pasadena is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 49% married, this city falls well below the national average. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Pasadena is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 29 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.
Living in Pasadena can be a great experience for anyone relocating to the area. Having said that, in the state of California, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. To help you find the best places to live in and around Pasadena, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, cost of living, commute, housing and more.
Using data and statistics Pasadena has received a livability score of 74/100. This score is ranked in the 86th percentile when compared to all other cities. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Pasadena has higher than average scores for the following: amenities (A+) and employment (A+). Pasadena does not rank well for the following: cost of living (F). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Pasadena, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Pasadena undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location. Among the enticing options for fun and exploration in Pasadena are: Norton Simon Museum, Old Pasadena, and Rose Bowl Stadium.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Pasadena is real estate affordability. The median home price for Pasadena homes is $822,100, which is 100.9% higher than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Pasadena, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 9.7, which is 51.6% higher than the California average.
| Statistic | Pasadena | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 29min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 65.9% | 73.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 6.3% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 5.9% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 1.6% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 5.2% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 12.4% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
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