Moving from Pasadena, TX to College Station, TX
It is a 110 mi drive, roughly 2h 9m, between Pasadena, TX and College Station, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
110 mi Β· 2h 9m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 249 TOLL, SHT, TX 6 |
| Major cities en route | League City, Pearland, Houston, Sugar Land |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pasadena | College Station | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 90.951 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 84.39 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 75.088 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 7.8% cheaper overall in College Station than Pasadena on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
7.8% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Pasadena -3.6%, College Station +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pasadena | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 41.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON HOBBY AP, TX US, COLLEGE STN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,345 | 122,280 |
| Median household income | $64,270 | $51,776 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 22.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.7% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 3 | 2.74 |
Households in College Station earn about 7.8% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in College Station MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,920 | $37,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,880 | $27,430 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 14,280 | $63,400 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,460 | $76,630 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,930 | $31,090 |
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in College Station average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in College Station compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $349,041 in College Station vs $217,449 in Pasadena β a 60.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is College Station, TX from Pasadena, TX?
The driving distance is 110 mi and the route typically takes 2h 9m via TX 249 TOLL and SHT. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is College Station more expensive than Pasadena?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in College Station is 7.8% lower than Pasadena (90.951 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Pasadena vs College Station?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,776 in College Station vs $64,270 in Pasadena β a 19.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in College Station compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,710 in the College Station MSA vs $46,960 in the Pasadena MSA, on total employment of 128,840 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Pasadena to College Station?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 110 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, TX Β· College Station, TX.