Moving from Denver, CO to Pasadena, CA
It is 1017 mi between Denver and Pasadena — roughly 17h 49m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1017 mi · 17h 49m by car · CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Thornton, Westminster, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denver | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 7.4% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.4% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $539,666 to $1,209,228 moving to Pasadena.
YoY change: Denver -4.3%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Denver | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.4" | 20.1" |
Annual temperature rises 14.6°F moving to Pasadena per NOAA normals.
Pasadena gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denver | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $91,681 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.8% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 2.39 |
Households in Pasadena earn about 7.4% more at the median — ACS 5-year 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.
Moving between Colorado and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.6°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Denver to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1017 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Denver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $58,490 in the Denver MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Denver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $539,666 in Denver — a 124.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Denver vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $91,681 in Denver — a 13.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Denver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 7.4% higher than Denver (113.566 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Denver, CO?
The driving distance is 1017 mi and the route typically takes 17h 49m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Denver and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 51.4°F in Denver (14.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 15.4 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Denver.
City profiles: Denver, CO · Pasadena, CA.