Is East Los Angeles cheaper than South Pasadena?

East Los Angeles has the lower day-to-day cost index (126 vs 193 against a national 100). The other differences are shown facet by facet in the table.

What household income in South Pasadena equals $85,000 in East Los Angeles?

A household earning $85,000 in East Los Angeles needs about $98,000 in South Pasadena to keep the same lifestyle; coming the other way, $85,000 of South Pasadena lifestyle costs about $72,000 in East Los Angeles.

City data & comparisons

Residential comparison · 13 facts

East Los Angeles, CA vs South Pasadena, CA

Compare the housing, tax, cost, income, safety, school, and climate facts that are available for both places. The table shows the numbers without declaring one city universally better.

Personalize this comparison

A household earning $85,000 in East Los Angeles needs about $98,000 in South Pasadena to keep the same lifestyle.

Coming from South Pasadena, $85,000 of lifestyle costs about $72,000 in East Los Angeles.

A few differences

South Pasadena is higher on median household income ($127,175 vs $68,741).
East Los Angeles is lower on cost of living index (126 vs 193).
East Los Angeles is lower on 2-bedroom rent ($1,644/mo vs $2,428/mo).

East Los Angeles vs South Pasadena · facet by facet

Facet	East Los Angeles, CA	South Pasadena, CA
Median home price	$643,100	$1,640,000
2-bedroom rent	$1,644/mo	$2,428/mo
Property tax rate	0.75%	0.75%
State & local income tax	2.09%	2.09%
Sales tax	8.8%	8.8%
Cost of living index	126	193
Groceries index	112	112
Utilities	$245/mo	$245/mo
Median household income	$68,741	$127,175
Unemployment rate	5.2%	5.2%
Crime index	52/100	52/100
School rating	5.5/10	5.5/10
Sunny days / year	260 days	260 days

Data: Census ACS 2024 · BLS · Tax Foundation 2024 brackets · HUD/Zillow · NOAA 1991–2020 · FEMA NRI · Values are shown as reported; no universal winner is implied.

Full profiles: East Los Angeles, CA · South Pasadena, CA

Questions & answers

Is East Los Angeles cheaper than South Pasadena?: East Los Angeles has the lower day-to-day cost index (126 vs 193 against a national 100). The other differences are shown facet by facet in the table.
What household income in South Pasadena equals $85,000 in East Los Angeles?: A household earning $85,000 in East Los Angeles needs about $98,000 in South Pasadena to keep the same lifestyle; coming the other way, $85,000 of South Pasadena lifestyle costs about $72,000 in East Los Angeles.