Cost of Living: Irvine, CA vs Pasadena, CA (2026)

Irvine

California
256
VS

Pasadena

California
220

Irvine is 16% more expensive than Pasadena.

$2,893/mo ↑ 30%
Median Rent
$2,218/mo ↓ 23%
$129,647/yr ↑ 25%
Median Income
$103,778/yr ↓ 20%
$1,115,400 ↑ 7%
Home Value
$1,045,000 ↓ 6%
$2,904/mo ↑ 24%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↓ 19%
308,160
Population
136,462

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Pasadena, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 220 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $675/month cheaper in Pasadena, saving renters about $8,100/year.

Median household income is $25,869/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $1,045,000 in Pasadena.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Pasadena — common questions

Is Irvine or Pasadena cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Pasadena is cheaper to live in with an index of 220 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Pasadena?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Pasadena it's $2,218/month — a difference of $675/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Pasadena?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $103,778 in Pasadena. Median household income is $25,869/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or Pasadena?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/mo, while Pasadena has a cost index of 220 with rent of $2,218/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Irvine details → View Pasadena details →

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