Moving from Palmdale, CA to Pasadena, TX
It is 1575 mi and 27h 12m from Palmdale to Pasadena β 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.
1575 mi Β· 27h 12m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palmdale | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 13.2% cheaper overall in Pasadena than Palmdale on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.2% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, Pasadena -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palmdale | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | 55.6" |
Expect 7.5Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PALMDALE, CA US, HOUSTON HOBBY AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 149,345 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $64,270 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 10.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 3 |
Expect median household income to fall 13.2% β $81,151 β $64,270 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 | 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.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Pasadena average 93Β°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 β 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Palmdale vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,270 in Pasadena vs $81,151 in Palmdale β a 20.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,449 in Pasadena vs $501,257 in Palmdale β a 56.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Pasadena MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Pasadena, TX from Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 1575 mi and the route typically takes 27h 12m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Palmdale to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1575 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Palmdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 13.2% lower than Palmdale (98.629 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA Β· Pasadena, TX.