Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Pasadena, CA
The drive from Costa Mesa to Pasadena covers 45 mi in about 1h 4m. Local moves still matter β 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.
45 mi Β· 1h 4m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 405, I 605, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Palmdale, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Burbank, El Monte |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | 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 Costa Mesa is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Pasadena is 0.0% below Costa Mesa ($1,209,228 vs $1,413,322 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 20.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Costa Mesa (64.9Β°F) and Pasadena (66.0Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Pasadena gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.39 |
Income steps down 0.0%: $110,073 in Costa Mesa 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 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 the job market in Pasadena compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa 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 far is Pasadena, CA from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 45 mi and the route typically takes 1h 4m via I 405 and I 605. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 5.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 45 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 Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 14.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Pasadena, CA.