Moving from Escondido, CA to Pasadena, CA
Relocating between Escondido, CA and Pasadena, CA is a 111 mi drive — 2h 10m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
111 mi · 2h 10m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, I 210, CA 71 |
| Major cities en route | San Diego, El Cajon, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Temecula |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Escondido | 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 |
Escondido and Pasadena sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $844,072 in Escondido to $1,209,228 in Pasadena, a 1.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Escondido -2.5%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Escondido | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 45°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 20.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 65.8°F vs 66.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Pasadena sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ESCONDIDO #2, CA US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Escondido | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,913 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $84,477 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 37.1 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.39 |
Expect median household income to rise 1.5% — $84,477 → $103,778 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 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
- 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 — 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 Escondido vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $84,477 in Escondido — a 22.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Escondido 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 111 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Escondido and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 65.8°F in Escondido (0.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 14.5 in.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Escondido, CA?
The driving distance is 111 mi and the route typically takes 2h 10m via I 15 and I 210. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Escondido?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $53,090 in the Escondido 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.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Escondido?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 1.5% higher than Escondido (113.566 vs 111.887, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Escondido?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $844,072 in Escondido — a 43.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Escondido.
City profiles: Escondido, CA · Pasadena, CA.