Moving from Houston, TX to Pasadena, CA
It is 1540 mi and 26h 21m from Houston to Pasadena — a cross-country move across 4 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1540 mi · 26h 21m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 15.1% 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 15.1% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $264,336 to $1,209,228 moving to Pasadena.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Houston | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 20.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Houston (70.6°F) and Pasadena (66.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (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: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.39 |
Expect median household income to rise 15.1% — $62,894 → $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.
Moving between Texas 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
- 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
- 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
How far is Pasadena, CA from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 1540 mi and the route typically takes 26h 21m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 15.1% higher than Houston (113.566 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $264,336 in Houston — a 357.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $62,894 in Houston — a 65.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Houston and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 70.6°F in Houston (4.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 54.1 in.
When is the best time to move from Houston 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 1540 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX · Pasadena, CA.