Mentone, CA vs South Pasadena, CA

The cost of living difference between Mentone, CA and South Pasadena, CA is dramatic. Mentone is 51.4% cheaper than South Pasadena, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Mentone has a cost index of 114 while South Pasadena sits at 234, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Mentone is $1,390/month compared to $2,218/month in South Pasadena — a 37% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mentone is more affordable at $414,200 median vs $1,545,100.

Median household income in Mentone is $70,466 compared to $128,105 in South Pasadena (-45%). The higher salaries in South Pasadena partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Mentone spend roughly 23.7% of their income on rent, more than the 20.8% in South Pasadena.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (63.3°F vs 65.8°F). South Pasadena receives more rainfall at 14.3" per year compared to 10.7" in Mentone.