Real Estate Investing in South Pasadena, California (91030)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 91030 (South Pasadena, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 55.0 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in South Pasadena, CA (91030)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 91030 South Pasadena
ZIP 91030 inside Los Angeles County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $1.7M — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
Looking more closely, the numbers look inviting — $1.7M purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 91030 is substantial and deserves full respect.
From an investor standpoint, 91030 offers a low basis, the region around South Pasadena has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.
On the rental side, 26,297 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.
Strategically, 91030 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in South Pasadena:
Property Strategy for 91030
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $760,158 | $2,470 | 2.3% | +1.8% | $760,158 |
| 2BR | $1,098,213 | $3,080 | 2.0% | +5.9% | $549,107 |
| 3BR | $1,613,881 | $3,900 | 1.7% | +6.8% | $537,960 |
| 4BR | $2,150,718 | $4,350 | 1.5% | +6.6% | $537,680 |
| 5BR | $2,662,360 | — | — | +6.3% | $532,472 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 91030 Compare?
| Metric | 91030 | South Pasadena | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | California |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $1,707,757 | $1,707,757 | N/A | $761,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 5.6% | 5.6% | N/A | 5.7% |
| Avg Rent | $2,587 | $2,587 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 1.2% | 1.2% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 91030 (South Pasadena, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $1,707,757 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,587 |
| Price-to-Rent | 55.0:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 1.8% |
| Cap Rate | 1.2% |
| 5-Year IRR | 6.7% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +7.1% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +6.3% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.6% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.9% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -5.0% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +0.3% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.9% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.2%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.
Run an IRR Analysis →⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 91030
Population: 26,297
Crime & Safety
Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon
We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.
Expected: Q1 2025
🎓 Schools in 91030
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Bushnell Way Elementary
L.A. County High School for the Arts
Buchanan Street Elementary
El Sereno Middle
Huntington Drive Elementary
About Repit School Scores
Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.
We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:
- Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
- School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
- Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
- School Environment — Size, type, and structure
Scores are updated annually using federal education data.
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
How does South Pasadena, CA rate as a rental market?
South Pasadena, CA scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $1.7M and rents near $2,587/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.
How qualified is the tenant pool in South Pasadena, CA?
Expect a solid tenant pool in South Pasadena, CA. The rental market absorbs $2,587/mo rents without meaningful friction.
How much is rent in South Pasadena, CA?
Rents in South Pasadena, CA run near $2,587/mo. Compared with median home prices of $1.7M that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.
Is South Pasadena, CA a good market for FHA house hackers?
South Pasadena, CA offers a tougher house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $2,587/mo rent level.
How high is vacancy risk in South Pasadena, CA?
Vacancy risk in South Pasadena, CA is elevated. That supports predictable cash flow for typical rental holds.
You know 91030 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 91030 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.
How 91030 ranks in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
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