Moving from Pasadena, CA to Palmdale, CA
It is a short 46 mi hop from Pasadena, CA to Palmdale, CA — roughly 1h 12m behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
46 mi · 1h 12m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | N3, FH 59, CA 2 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Burbank, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pasadena | Palmdale | 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 |
Pasadena and Palmdale sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,209,228 in Pasadena to $501,257 in Palmdale, a 0.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Pasadena -1.0%, Palmdale -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Pasadena | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.1" | 7.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.0°F vs 63.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Palmdale sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PASADENA, CA US, PALMDALE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,462 | 165,487 |
| Median household income | $103,778 | $81,151 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 33.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 3.56 |
Palmdale households earn about 0.0% less than Pasadena at the median — $103,778 → $81,151 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palmdale 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 20–30% 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Palmdale average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Palmdale sees only 7.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — 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 household income compare in Pasadena vs Palmdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,151 in Palmdale vs $103,778 in Pasadena — a 21.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Palmdale compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $501,257 in Palmdale vs $1,209,228 in Pasadena — a 58.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Palmdale, CA from Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance is 46 mi and the route typically takes 1h 12m via N3 and FH 59. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Pasadena to Palmdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 46 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Palmdale compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA vs $50,490 in the Pasadena 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.
What is the climate difference between Pasadena and Palmdale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.6°F in Palmdale vs 66.0°F in Pasadena (2.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 7.3 in vs 20.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, CA · Palmdale, CA.