Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Pasadena, TX
Cross-country relocations like Costa Mesa, CA β Pasadena, TX cover 1551 mi and about 26h 44m 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.
1551 mi Β· 26h 44m 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, US 90 |
| 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
| Costa Mesa | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Pasadena are 13.2% below Costa Mesa β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Pasadena typical home at $217,449 is 13.2% under Costa Mesa at $1,413,322 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Pasadena -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 55.6" |
Climate warms by 6.2Β°F on the annual average β 64.9Β°F β 71.1Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, HOUSTON HOBBY AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 149,345 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $64,270 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 10.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 13.2% between Costa Mesa 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.
- 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 does the job market in Pasadena compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Pasadena MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 13.2% lower than Costa Mesa (98.629 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,270 in Pasadena vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 41.6% 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 1551 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 $217,449 in Pasadena vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 84.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Pasadena, TX from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 1551 mi and the route typically takes 26h 44m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 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 Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Pasadena, TX.