Moving from Berkeley, CA to Pasadena, TX
Cross-country relocations like Berkeley, CA β Pasadena, TX cover 1936 mi and about 33h 40m of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1936 mi Β· 33h 40m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | League City, Pearland, Houston, Sugar Land, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Berkeley | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 115.613 to 98.629, putting Pasadena roughly 14.7% below Berkeley on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Pasadena: 14.7% below Berkeley on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Berkeley -1.2%, Pasadena -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Berkeley | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 74Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 26.1" | 55.6" |
Climate warms by 12.6Β°F on the annual average β 58.5Β°F β 71.1Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BERKELEY, CA US, HOUSTON HOBBY AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Berkeley | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 149,345 |
| Median household income | $108,558 | $64,270 |
| Median age | 32.9 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.4% | 10.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 3 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 14.7% between Berkeley and Pasadena (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 | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Pasadena average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Pasadena averages 55.6 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Berkeley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,449 in Pasadena vs $1,443,684 in Berkeley β a 84.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Berkeley to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1936 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Berkeley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Pasadena MSA vs $72,050 in the Berkeley MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Berkeley vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,270 in Pasadena vs $108,558 in Berkeley β a 40.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Pasadena, TX from Berkeley, CA?
The driving distance is 1936 mi and the route typically takes 33h 40m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Berkeley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 14.7% lower than Berkeley (98.629 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Berkeley.
City profiles: Berkeley, CA Β· Pasadena, TX.