South Pasadena, CA vs Moraga, CA: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Moraga, CA has a modeled overall cost index 0.7% lower than South Pasadena, CA.

South Pasadena, CA · modeled 2BR rent: $3,080 / month
Moraga, CA · modeled 2BR rent: $3,550 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare South Pasadena, CA and Moraga, CA using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

Current salary in South Pasadena, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

Estimated extra cost: $0.53/month in Moraga, CA

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $150,006 in Moraga, CA

Regional cost estimates: South Pasadena, CA uses Los Angeles, CA. Moraga, CA uses Oakland, CA. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.

Overall Cost

↓ 0.7%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$0.53

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$6.30

Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

South Pasadena, CA

Population:26K

Cost Index:

154.4

100 = national average

Typical Home:$1.62M

Moraga, CA

Population:17K

Cost Index:

153.2

100 = national average

Typical Home:$1.57M

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South Pasadena, CA

The Golden State

26K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 26K residents.

Moraga, CA

The Golden State

17K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 17K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: South Pasadena, CA vs Moraga, CA

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Category	South Pasadena, CA	Moraga, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$3,980/mo	$3,673/mo	↓ $307less	7.7%
Other	$988/mo	$1,115/mo	↑ $128more	12.9%
Healthcare	$335/mo	$436/mo	↑ $101more	30.2%
Groceries	$629/mo	$716/mo	↑ $86.62more	13.8%
All Utilities	$337/mo	$277/mo	↓ $60.38less	17.9%
Transportation	$1,232/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $52.32more	4.2%

Housing

↓ 7.7%

South Pasadena, CA

$3,980

Moraga, CA

$3,673

Difference

$307

less

Other

↑ 12.9%

South Pasadena, CA

$988

Moraga, CA

$1,115

Difference

$128

Healthcare

↑ 30.2%

South Pasadena, CA

$335

Moraga, CA

$436

Difference

$101

Groceries

↑ 13.8%

South Pasadena, CA

$629

Moraga, CA

$716

Difference

$86.62

All Utilities

↓ 17.9%

South Pasadena, CA

$337

Moraga, CA

$277

Difference

$60.38

less

Transportation

↑ 4.2%

South Pasadena, CA

$1,232

Moraga, CA

$1,284

Difference

$52.32

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,210

To$2,610

↑ $400

1 Bed

From$2,470

To$2,910

↑ $440

2 Bed

From$3,080

To$3,550

↑ $470

3 Bed

From$3,900

To$4,540

↑ $640

South Pasadena, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,470–$2,470/mo

Moraga, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,910–$2,910/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500

Monthly in South Pasadena, CA

$7,501

Monthly in Moraga, CA

$0.53

Difference

Home Values

South Pasadena

Moraga

$1.62M

Median Value

$1.57M

↑ +3.3%

YoY Change

↓ -2.5%

↑ +36.3%

5-Year Change

↑ +22.2%

Homes in Moraga are 3% less expensive than South Pasadena

Calculate payment - South Pasadena Calculate payment - Moraga

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

→ $0

Same taxes

Monthly Difference

Same take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.0%

Rate difference

South Pasadena, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Moraga, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

South Pasadena, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

Moraga, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

South Pasadena

Moraga

80 Moderate

Air Quality

49 Good

10.4%

Good Air Days

53%

100 Very High

Climate Risk

100 Very High

🔥🌊🌅

Top Hazards

🔥🌊🌅

▲+2.6°F

2050 Outlook

▲+1.9°F

17 days

Heat Days >95°F

2 days

▲+2.6°F

2050 Outlook

▲+1.9°F

17 days

Heat Days >95°F

2 days

Before moving from South Pasadena, CA to Moraga, CA

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Moraga, CA for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in South Pasadena, CA. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your South Pasadena to Moraga moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Moraga, CA by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: South Pasadena, CA vs Moraga, CA

How do the cost estimates for South Pasadena, CA and Moraga, CA compare?

Moraga, CA has a modeled overall cost index 0.7% lower than South Pasadena, CA. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in South Pasadena, CA, the model estimates $150,006 in Moraga, CA. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for South Pasadena, CA and Moraga, CA?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $3,080/month in South Pasadena, CA and $3,550/month in Moraga, CA. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.