Moving from McKinney, TX to Pasadena, CA
It is 1414 mi between McKinney and Pasadena β roughly 24h 51m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1414 mi Β· 24h 51m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, US 81 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Plano, Garland, Richardson, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McKinney | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Pasadena runs about 10.2% more expensive overall than McKinney β RPP 103.09 β 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $481,963 in McKinney to $1,209,228 in Pasadena, a 10.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: McKinney -6.9%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McKinney | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 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: MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McKinney | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,314 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $120,273 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 36.7 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.1% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.86 | 2.39 |
Households in Pasadena earn about 10.2% 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.
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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- 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 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Pasadena more expensive than McKinney?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 10.2% higher than McKinney (113.566 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to McKinney?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $481,963 in McKinney β a 150.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from McKinney to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1414 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to McKinney?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $48,440 in the McKinney MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in McKinney vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $120,273 in McKinney β a 13.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Pasadena, CA from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance is 1414 mi and the route typically takes 24h 51m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 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 McKinney.
City profiles: McKinney, TX Β· Pasadena, CA.