Moving from Pasadena, CA to Aurora, CO
Relocating 1027 mi from Pasadena to Aurora is a 18h 1m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1027 mi Β· 18h 1m by car Β· CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Denver, Thornton, Westminster, Lakewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pasadena | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.9% moving from Pasadena to Aurora β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,209,228 in Pasadena to $463,081 in Aurora, a 6.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Pasadena -1.0%, Aurora -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pasadena | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 20.1" | β |
Annual average temperature drops 15.2Β°F β 66.0Β°F in Pasadena vs 50.8Β°F in Aurora, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PASADENA, CA US, CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,462 | 390,201 |
| Median household income | $103,778 | $84,320 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30% | 21.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.73 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 6.9% lower in Aurora than Pasadena.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Aurora MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Aurora average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (15.2Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Aurora, CO from Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance is 1027 mi and the route typically takes 18h 1m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Pasadena vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,320 in Aurora vs $103,778 in Pasadena β a 18.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Aurora MSA vs $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $463,081 in Aurora vs $1,209,228 in Pasadena β a 61.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Aurora more expensive than Pasadena?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 6.9% lower than Pasadena (105.782 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Pasadena to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1027 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, CA Β· Aurora, CO.