South Pasadena cityscape

South Pasadena

Small Town Charm, Big City Access

Overview

"Small Town Charm, Big City Access"

Population~26,000
Price Range$1.1M-$1.6M

South Pasadena exemplifies small-town charm with its walkable downtown, tree-lined streets, and preserved Craftsman and Victorian architecture. Consistently ranked among California's top school districts, South Pasadena attracts families who prioritize education and community. Mission Street's charming boutiques, the Thursday evening Farmers Market, and no chain stores create a unique, authentic atmosphere. The city maintains a strong sense of community through active neighborhood associations and cultural events. With high homeownership rates, low crime, and proximity to Arroyo Seco trails, South Pasadena offers families a safe, engaging environment where neighbors know each other and small-town values thrive alongside big-city amenities.

Key Highlights

  • Ranked #2 Best Suburbs to Raise a Family in California with overall A+ grade on Niche.com
  • Small-town charm with walkable downtown, no chain stores, and weekly Thursday Farmers Market fostering authentic community spirit
  • Historic "City of Trees" with over 21,000 trees, preserved Craftsman and Victorian architecture, and South Pasadena Historic District on National Register
  • Top-rated South Pasadena Unified School District - both high school and middle school are California Gold Ribbon award recipients
  • Oldest self-builder of floats in the Tournament of Roses Parade with multiple recent awards including 2025 Fantasy Award

Housing Market

Price Range

$1.1M-$1.8M

Median Home Price

$1.70M

Market Trend

Stable

Updated: 10/1/2025

Average Prices by Type

Single-Family Home

$1.79M

Condo

$800K

Townhouse

$950K

Multi-Family

N/A

Contacts

Government

South Pasadena City Hall

City Hall

(626) 403-7200
1414 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030
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South Pasadena Unified School District

School District

(626) 441-5810
1100 El Centro Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030
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Emergency Services

South Pasadena Police Department

Police Department

(626) 403-7270
1422 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030
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South Pasadena Fire Department

Fire Department

(626) 403-7300
817 Mound Avenue, South Pasadena, CA 91030
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Utilities

South Pasadena Water Division

Water

(855) 518-4012
825 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030
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Athens Services

Trash & Recycling

Accolades & Recognition

National Register Historic District

South Pasadena Historic District officially registered for its exceptional architectural and cultural heritage

Source:National Register of Historic Places
Date:1982

Top 5% of Schools Nationwide - South Pasadena High School

Ranked #87 in California and #622 out of 17,000 public high schools in the United States

Source:U.S. News & World Report
Date:2024

California Preservation Design Award

Awarded for exceptional ADU Design Guidelines on Historic Properties that preserve architectural character

Source:California Preservation Foundation
Date:2022

Tournament of Roses Parade Float Awards

Multiple awards including Fantasy Award (2025), Founder Award (2024, 2022), Bob Hope Humor Award (2023), and Mayor's Award (2019, 2020)

Source:Tournament of Roses Association
Date:2019-2025

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