Moving from Anaheim, CA to Pasadena, CA
The drive from Anaheim to Pasadena covers 42 mi in about 1h 2m. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
42 mi · 1h 2m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 91, I 710 |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, Corona, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Anaheim | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Pasadena and Anaheim is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Pasadena is 0.0% above Anaheim — $950,504 vs $1,209,228 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Anaheim +0.2%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Anaheim | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 20.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Anaheim (67.7°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: ANAHEIM, CA US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Anaheim | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $90,583 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.5% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 2.39 |
Income steps up 0.0%: $90,583 in Anaheim vs $103,778 in Pasadena.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Anaheim and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 67.7°F in Anaheim (1.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 13.5 in.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Anaheim, CA?
The driving distance is 42 mi and the route typically takes 1h 2m via I 5 and CA 91. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Anaheim 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 42 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Anaheim vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $90,583 in Anaheim — a 14.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Anaheim?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $50,490 in the Anaheim MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Anaheim?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $950,504 in Anaheim — a 27.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Anaheim.
City profiles: Anaheim, CA · Pasadena, CA.