Buyers moving into the Pasadena area often ask the same question:

“Which school district is best?”

The real answer is more nuanced. Pasadena Unified, South Pasadena Unified, and San Marino Unified serve different buyer priorities, lifestyles, and real estate strategies.

Here’s a clear, buyer-focused comparison.

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD)

Strengths

  • Diversity of programs

  • Magnet and dual-language options

  • Arts and STEM offerings

Considerations

  • Performance varies by campus

  • Buyers must be strategic by neighborhood

Best For

  • Buyers valuing cultural diversity and program choice

South Pasadena Unified (SPUSD)

Strengths

  • Consistency across all schools

  • Strong test performance

  • Small-district cohesion

Considerations

  • Limited inventory

  • Competitive pricing

Best For

  • Buyers prioritizing predictability and community

San Marino Unified

Strengths

  • Elite academic outcomes

  • Decades-long consistency

  • Strong college placement

Considerations

  • High price point

  • Limited housing stock

Best For

  • Buyers seeking top-tier academics with long-term value

Real Estate Impact Comparison

District : Pasadena Unified South / Pasadena Unified / San Marino Unified

Avg Price : ~$1.3M / ~$1.55M / ~$2.7M

DOM : 30–40 / 18–22 / 20–30

Buyer Profile : Program-driven / Family-centric / Legacy buyers

FAQ

Q: Which district has the best schools overall?
A: San Marino for pure academics, South Pasadena for consistency.

Q: Which district offers the most flexibility?
A: Pasadena Unified.

Compare Pasadena-area districts with confidence with Jason Bergman – The Agency Pasadena