Moving from Murrieta, CA to Pasadena, CA
Moving from Murrieta, CA to Pasadena, CA covers 78 mi and about 1h 36m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
78 mi Β· 1h 36m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, I 210, CA 71 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Glendale, Palmdale, Burbank, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Murrieta | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 6.7% pricier overall in Pasadena than Murrieta on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Pasadena typical home at $1,209,228 is 6.7% above Murrieta at $688,358 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Murrieta -1.5%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Murrieta | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.3" | 20.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.1Β°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: FALLBROOK 5 NE, CA US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Murrieta | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,621 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $109,780 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 36 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 3.15 | 2.39 |
Median household income in Pasadena is 6.7% below Murrieta ($109,780 β $103,778, 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 | 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
Is Pasadena more expensive than Murrieta?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 6.7% higher than Murrieta (113.566 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Murrieta vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $109,780 in Murrieta β a 5.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Murrieta to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 78 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 Murrieta?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $47,450 in the Murrieta MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Murrieta?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $688,358 in Murrieta β a 75.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Murrieta, CA?
The driving distance is 78 mi and the route typically takes 1h 36m via I 15 and I 210. 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 Murrieta.
City profiles: Murrieta, CA Β· Pasadena, CA.