Moving from Elk Grove, CA to Pasadena, CA
It is a 374 mi drive, roughly 6h 56m, between Elk Grove, 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.
374 mi Β· 6h 56m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Sacramento, Roseville, Stockton, Antioch, Modesto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elk Grove | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 6.5% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.5% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $637,450 to $1,209,228 moving to Pasadena.
YoY change: Elk Grove -3.5%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elk Grove | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 18.1" | 20.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Elk Grove (61.8Β°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: SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elk Grove | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $122,229 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 39 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 3.24 | 2.39 |
Households in Pasadena earn about 6.5% less at the median β 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.
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 Elk Grove vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $122,229 in Elk Grove β a 15.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Elk Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $637,450 in Elk Grove β a 89.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Elk Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Elk Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 6.5% higher than Elk Grove (113.566 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Elk Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 374 mi and the route typically takes 6h 56m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Elk Grove to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 374 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elk Grove.
City profiles: Elk Grove, CA Β· Pasadena, CA.