Real Estate Investing in Pasadena, California (91103)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Los Angeles County • Population: 24,910 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 91103 (Pasadena, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (42/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
3 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.1% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 26.3 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Pasadena, CA (91103)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $1,088,967
Avg Monthly Rent $3,455
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $78,513
% Renters 54.6%

Market Analysis: 91103 Pasadena

ZIP 91103 inside Los Angeles County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $1.1M — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

The investment case in 91103 is notable only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $1.1M median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

ZIP 91103's metrics run below Los Angeles County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

The demographic picture in 91103 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Pasadena averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Strategy in 91103 is an operator game, not a passive one. From a cash-flow lens, entry prices of $1.1M are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Pasadena:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 54/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 13.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $3,455/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
50 days
Average time to sell
Average
8.0%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 91103

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
2.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+8.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$357,522/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $685,627 $2,010 2.1% +3.8% $685,627
2BR $860,843 $2,510 2.1% +5.5% $430,421
3BR $1,072,566 $3,180 2.1% +5.7% $357,522
4BR $1,570,342 $3,540 1.6% +7.5% $392,586
5BR $2,437,942 +8.3% $487,588

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$1.2M$987K$822K$657K$492K$327KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$3,689$3,362$3,035$2,707$2,380$2,053Dec 2018Oct 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 91103 Compare?

Metric 91103 Pasadena Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA California
Home Value $1,088,967 $1,022,984 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR 4.4% 4.0% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $3,455 $2,991 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.5% 2.1% - -
💡 Why Invest in 91103? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

55% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 91103 (Pasadena, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Los Angeles County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

A Better Property Management Company Inc. provides property management services in Long Beach, Seal Beach, and Southern California. summary from their website

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ACF Property Management leases shopping center spaces nationwide, managing over 37 shopping centers in 11 states from California to Florida. summary from their website

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summary from their website summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.4%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $1,088,967
Monthly Rent $3,455
Price-to-Rent 26.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.8%
Cap Rate 2.5%
5-Year IRR 6.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +14.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.5%). 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.

Vacancy
8.1%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.4%
Stable
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 91103

Population: 24,910

💰 Median Household Income
$78,513
This area
$78,513
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
54.6%
This area
54.6%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.5%
This area
3.5%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
35.3%
This area
35.3%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
40.0 years
This area
40.0 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.1%
This area
8.1%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Other/Mixed 41.6%
Hispanic/Latino 37.5%
White 30.5%
Black/African American 15.7%
Asian 12.1%
👶 Under 18
21.2%
This area
21.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.2%
This area
17.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
14.4%
This area
14.4%
USA
11.5%

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 91103

B Avg School Grade
4 Schools
20.9:1 Avg Class Size
$18,456 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Octavia E. Butler Magnet

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
519 Students
👨‍🏫
18.7:1 Class Size
💰
$20,134 Per Student
B+ Above Average

John Muir High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,133 Students
👨‍🏫
21.9:1 Class Size
💰
$20,134 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Washington Elementary STEM Magnet

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
433 Students
👨‍🏫
23.4:1 Class Size
💰
$20,134 Per Student
C+ Average

Alma Fuerte Public

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
185 Students
👨‍🏫
19.5:1 Class Size
💰
$13,423 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A Very Good

Charles W. Eliot Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 2184 North Lake Ave., Altadena
👥
395 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$20,134 Per Student
A Very Good

Aveson Global Leadership Academy

📚 06 – 12 High School Charter
📍 575 West Altadena Dr., Altadena
👥
207 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,124 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Daily (Allan F.) High (Continuation)

📚 09 – 12 High School
📍 220 North Kenwood, Glendale
👥
108 Students
👨‍🏫
7.4:1 Class Size
💰
$19,420 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Blair High

📚 06 – 12 High School
📍 1201 South Marengo Ave., Pasadena
👥
1,055 Students
👨‍🏫
18.1:1 Class Size
💰
$20,134 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Longfellow (Henry W.) Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 1065 East Washington Blvd., Pasadena
👥
547 Students
👨‍🏫
23.3:1 Class Size
💰
$20,134 Per Student
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

8 Nearby
D
Capstone College
140 students · 0.9 mi
C+
Art Center College of Design
2,382 students · 1.2 mi
D
Saybrook University
1,055 students · 1.2 mi
C+
Pacific Oaks College
1,051 students · 1.2 mi
C
Providence Christian College
147 students · 1.8 mi
C
Integrity College of Health
158 students · 1.9 mi
C
Fuller Theological Seminary
1,935 students · 1.9 mi
C
University of the People
42,867 students · 2.1 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Are eviction rules reasonable in Pasadena, CA?

Pasadena, CA operates under CA law, which is tenant-protective overall for landlords. Expect stable treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

Is Pasadena, CA a smart market for rental property?

Yes - Pasadena, CA a 3.0/5 investability score. With $1.1M home prices against $3,455/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

What is the typical home price in Pasadena, CA?

The median home value in Pasadena, CA is roughly $1.1M. That puts it reasonable relative to the CA statewide average.

How much do tenants pay in Pasadena, CA?

Investors in Pasadena, CA typically see rents near $3,455/mo per month against $1.1M home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Pasadena, CA?

Working renters make up the core of the Pasadena, CA tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

You know 91103 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 91103 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.

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How 91103 ranks in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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