Moving from Houston, TX to Pasadena, TX
Relocating from Houston, TX to Pasadena, TX? The drive is 21 mi — about 33 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
21 mi · 33 min by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, TX 3, BW 8 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pearland, League City |
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 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 98.629 vs 98.629 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 0.0% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Pasadena -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Houston | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 55.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Houston (70.6°F) and Pasadena (71.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, HOUSTON HOBBY AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 149,345 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $64,270 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 10.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 3 |
Median household incomes in Houston ($62,894) and Pasadena ($64,270) are within a few percent (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.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Pasadena average 93°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 — 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,449 in Pasadena vs $264,336 in Houston — a 17.7% lower 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 $64,270 in Pasadena vs $62,894 in Houston — a 2.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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 21 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 Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Pasadena MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Pasadena, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 21 mi and the route typically takes 33 min via I 45 and TX 3. The trip crosses 1 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 Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX · Pasadena, TX.