| Summary | National Percentile | Rank vs Metro |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 83rd | Best |
| Demographics | 70th | Good |
| Amenities | 97th | Best |
Multifamily Valuation
| Property Details | |
|---|---|
| Address | 171 N Wilson Ave, Pasadena, CA, 91106, US |
| Region / Metro | Pasadena |
| Year of Construction | 1987 |
| Units | 20 |
| Transaction Date | 2019-08-02 |
| Transaction Price | $9,000,000 |
| Buyer | ARKONA INC |
| Seller | NOMOTO TAKUMI |
171 N Wilson Ave Pasadena Multifamily Investment
Neighborhood renter concentration and strong amenity density support leasing stability, according to WDSuite s CRE market data. These are neighborhood-level signals rather than property-specific performance.
Pasadena s Urban Core setting scores an A+ neighborhood rating and ranks 57th among 1,441 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale neighborhoods, placing it in the top quartile locally. Amenity access is a clear strength: restaurants and cafes sit in the high national percentiles (restaurants 99th, cafes 97th), with groceries and pharmacies also strong (both ~97 0th percentiles), and parks around the 90th percentile. For multifamily investors, this mix typically supports resident retention and day-to-day convenience.
The neighborhood s renter concentration is high, with 73.5% of housing units renter-occupied. This points to a deep tenant base and consistent demand for professionally managed units. At the same time, high rents relative to income (rent-to-income ratio ~0.31, elevated nationally) suggest affordability pressure that can affect renewal decisions and pricing strategy. Median contract rents and home values both rank high nationally, indicating a high-cost ownership market that can reinforce reliance on rental housing while requiring careful lease management.
Within a 3-mile radius, recent trends show slight population softening alongside a modest uptick in household counts, implying smaller household sizes and a steady pool of potential renters. Projections indicate continued increase in households over the next five years with further decreases in average household size, which generally supports occupancy stability and absorption of well-located units. Income growth in this radius has been solid historically, expanding the pool of higher-earning renters who can support market-rate product.
School ratings in the neighborhood average near the lower national percentiles, which may shape tenant mix toward students, young professionals, and workforce renters rather than family-driven demand. Taken together, the area s amenity depth and renter orientation are favorable for multifamily, with affordability and school quality as planning considerations.
Safety indicators warrant attention. The neighborhood s overall crime rank is 1,238 out of 1,441 metro neighborhoods, which is below the metro average. Nationally, property offenses benchmark in a low percentile, indicating higher relative rates compared with many U.S. neighborhoods, while violent offense levels sit below the national midpoint. Recent data show violent offenses trending down year over year, a constructive sign to monitor over time.
For underwriting and operations, investors often incorporate practical measures lighting, access control, and resident engagement to support retention and mitigate loss events. Compare comps within Pasadena and adjacent submarkets to calibrate renewal assumptions and insurance considerations rather than relying on block-level readings.
Nearby corporate headquarters and offices underpin a diverse white-collar employment base that supports renter demand and commuting convenience, including Edison International, Avery Dennison, Chevron, Microsoft, and Reliance Steel & Aluminum.
- Edison International utilities (7.1 miles) HQ
- Avery Dennison manufacturing & materials (7.4 miles) HQ
- Chevron energy offices (7.9 miles)
- Microsoft technology offices (9.7 miles)
- Reliance Steel & Aluminum metals & distribution (9.7 miles) HQ
171 N Wilson Ave is a 20-unit multifamily in Pasadena s amenity-rich Urban Core, with an average unit size near 937 sf. A high neighborhood renter share and strong dining, grocery, and daily-needs access support a durable tenant base and lease-up visibility. Home values are elevated relative to national benchmarks, reinforcing renter reliance on multifamily housing. At the same time, neighborhood rent-to-income levels indicate affordability pressure, so operators should emphasize retention strategies and value-through-operations over aggressive rent pushes, according to commercial real estate analysis informed by WDSuite data.
Neighborhood-level safety metrics trend mixed property crime benchmarks weaker nationally while violent offense rates have improved year over year. Household counts within a 3-mile radius are expected to rise alongside smaller household sizes, which typically sustains demand for well-managed, mid-scale assets. Net effect: location fundamentals skew positive for occupancy and retention, with prudent underwriting around affordability and security measures.
- Amenity-rich Urban Core location supports retention and day-to-day convenience.
- High neighborhood renter concentration indicates a deep tenant base for a 20-unit asset.
- Elevated ownership costs favor sustained rental demand and pricing power when managed carefully.
- 3-mile radius outlook shows increasing households and smaller household sizes, supporting occupancy stability.
- Risks: neighborhood property crime benchmarks weak nationally and rent-to-income pressure requires conservative renewal assumptions.