Moving from Carlsbad, CA to Pasadena, CA
It is a 99 mi drive, roughly 2h 9m, between Carlsbad, CA and Pasadena, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
99 mi Β· 2h 9m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 710, S12 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Glendale, Burbank, El Monte |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Carlsbad | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.887 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 174.247 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.963 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 179.267 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 1.5% under Carlsbad β $1,370,649 β $1,209,228 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Carlsbad -3.9%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Carlsbad | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 48Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 74Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.4" | 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: CARLSBAD PALOMAR AP, CA US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Carlsbad | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,500 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $139,326 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 42.8 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.8% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.39 |
Pasadena households earn about 1.5% less than Carlsbad at the median β $139,326 β $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.
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 does household income compare in Carlsbad vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $139,326 in Carlsbad β a 25.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Carlsbad?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $53,090 in the Carlsbad MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,522,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Carlsbad to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 99 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Carlsbad?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $1,370,649 in Carlsbad β a 11.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Carlsbad?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 1.5% higher than Carlsbad (113.566 vs 111.887, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Carlsbad, CA?
The driving distance is 99 mi and the route typically takes 2h 9m via I 5 and I 710. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Carlsbad.
City profiles: Carlsbad, CA Β· Pasadena, CA.