Moving from Long Beach, CA to Pasadena, CA
Relocating from Long Beach, CA to Pasadena, CA? The drive is 31 mi β about 49 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.
31 mi Β· 49 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 710, I 405, US 66 HISTORIC |
| Major cities en route | Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Long Beach | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Long Beach and Pasadena sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $857,861 in Long Beach to $1,209,228 in Pasadena, a 0.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Long Beach +0.5%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Long Beach | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 20.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.9Β°F vs 66.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 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 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Long Beach | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $83,969 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.39 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.0% β $83,969 β $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 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 the job market in Pasadena compare to Long Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Long Beach to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 31 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Long Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 31 mi and the route typically takes 49 min via I 710 and I 405. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Long Beach vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $83,969 in Long Beach β a 23.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Long Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $857,861 in Long Beach β a 41.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Long Beach.
City profiles: Long Beach, CA Β· Pasadena, CA.