Moving from Pasadena, CA to Sacramento, CA
The 386 mi from Pasadena to Sacramento translate to about 7h 7m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
386 mi · 7h 7m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Roseville, Elk Grove, Antioch, Stockton, Modesto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pasadena | Sacramento | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 113.566 to 106.67, putting Sacramento roughly 6.1% below Pasadena on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Sacramento: 6.1% below Pasadena on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Pasadena -1.0%, Sacramento -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Pasadena | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.1" | 19.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Sacramento — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PASADENA, CA US, SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,462 | 524,802 |
| Median household income | $103,778 | $83,753 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.63 |
Income steps down 6.1%: $103,778 in Pasadena vs $83,753 in Sacramento.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sacramento MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
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 Sacramento average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 the job market in Sacramento compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA vs $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Sacramento compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $479,766 in Sacramento vs $1,209,228 in Pasadena — a 60.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Sacramento more expensive than Pasadena?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sacramento is 6.1% lower than Pasadena (106.67 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Pasadena and Sacramento?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.4°F in Sacramento vs 66.0°F in Pasadena (2.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 19.2 in vs 20.1 in.
How does household income compare in Pasadena vs Sacramento?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,753 in Sacramento vs $103,778 in Pasadena — a 19.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Sacramento, CA from Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance is 386 mi and the route typically takes 7h 7m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Pasadena to Sacramento?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 386 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 · Sacramento, CA.