Last updated 2026-07-10 ยท MovePlan Editorial Team
Craftsman bungalows, Caltech, and the Rose Parade. Quieter, leafier LA with a real downtown.
Population: 138,699
Median 2BR rent: $2,900/mo
Typical local mover cost: $1,300-$4,200
Popular neighborhoods: Bungalow Heaven, Madison Heights, South Lake, Playhouse District, Hastings Ranch
Do not even try to move the week before or during the Rose Parade. Street closures shut down half of central Pasadena from December 30 through January 2.
Climate: Hot dry summers, mild winters, wildfire smoke risk.