CostIndexUSA

Fremont, CA vs Pasadena, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Fremont
115.6
overall index
$3,075/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Pasadena
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Pasadena is slightly cheaper than Fremont — 1.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fremont, you would need $78,600 in Pasadena. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing12.5%
Fremont
194.7
Pasadena
170.4
🛒 Groceries1.8%
Fremont
108.5
Pasadena
106.6
🚗 Transportation1.7%
Fremont
111.5
Pasadena
109.6
🏥 Healthcare1.8%
Fremont
100.9
Pasadena
99.1
Utilities8.1%
Fremont
172.6
Pasadena
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Fremont to see what you'd need to earn in Pasadena to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Pasadena, CA
$78,600
$1,400 less needed in Pasadena

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 115.6) = salary × 0.9827. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fremont, CA

Median Home Price
$1,090,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,075
Housing Index
194.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.5×

Pasadena, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Fremont has 12.5% lower housing costs compared to Pasadena.

Income & Job Market

Fremont, CA

Median Household Income
$127,800
Per Capita Income
$72,800
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
230,504
Top Industries
TechnologyManufacturingHealthcareRetailEducation

Pasadena, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
141,029
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareEntertainmentFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Fremont, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Pasadena, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.