Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Pasadena, CA
Relocating between Bakersfield, CA and Pasadena, CA is a 112 mi drive β 2h 11m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
112 mi Β· 2h 11m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 99, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Palmdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bakersfield | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.886 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.257 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 90.291 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 12.6% above Bakersfield β 100.886 β 113.566 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.6% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Bakersfield -0.3%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bakersfield | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.7" | 20.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Pasadena β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bakersfield | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $77,397 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.39 |
Expect median household income to rise 12.6% β $77,397 β $103,778 per ACS 5-year estimates (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.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 β 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
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Bakersfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $396,047 in Bakersfield β a 205.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance is 112 mi and the route typically takes 2h 11m via I 5 and CA 99. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Bakersfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 12.6% higher than Bakersfield (113.566 vs 100.886, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Bakersfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 330,270 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Bakersfield vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $77,397 in Bakersfield β a 34.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 112 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Bakersfield.
City profiles: Bakersfield, CA Β· Pasadena, CA.