Moving from Abilene, TX to Pasadena, CA
It is 1252 mi between Abilene and Pasadena — roughly 21h 33m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1252 mi · 21h 33m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Palmdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Abilene | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.364 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.162 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.791 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 90.364 in Abilene to 113.566 in Pasadena, putting overall prices 25.7% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 25.7% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $210,016 to $1,209,228 moving to Pasadena.
YoY change: Abilene +5.2%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Abilene | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 25.2" | 20.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Abilene (65.9°F) and Pasadena (66.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Pasadena gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Abilene | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $62,720 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.39 |
Pasadena households earn about 25.7% more than Abilene at the median — $62,720 → $103,778 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pasadena MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Pasadena more expensive than Abilene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 25.7% higher than Abilene (113.566 vs 90.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Abilene, TX?
The driving distance is 1252 mi and the route typically takes 21h 33m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Abilene to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1252 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Abilene vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $62,720 in Abilene — a 65.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Abilene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $210,016 in Abilene — a 475.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Abilene and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 65.9°F in Abilene (0.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.7 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 25.2 in.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Abilene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $38,680 in the Abilene MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 72,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Abilene.
City profiles: Abilene, TX · Pasadena, CA.