Moving from Richardson, TX to Pasadena, CA
The drive from Richardson, TX to Pasadena, CA runs 1423 mi β about 24h 50m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1423 mi Β· 24h 50m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, US 82 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Palmdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richardson | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 10.2% pricier overall in Pasadena than Richardson on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Pasadena typical home at $1,209,228 is 10.2% above Richardson at $440,400 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Richardson -2.4%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richardson | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 20.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.8Β°F vs 66.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Pasadena sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richardson | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,269 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $96,257 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 34 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.39 |
Income steps up 10.2%: $96,257 in Richardson vs $103,778 in Pasadena.
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 | 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.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Richardson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $440,400 in Richardson β a 174.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Richardson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $48,440 in the Richardson MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Richardson to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1423 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Richardson vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $96,257 in Richardson β a 7.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Richardson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 10.2% higher than Richardson (113.566 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Richardson, TX?
The driving distance is 1423 mi and the route typically takes 24h 50m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richardson.
City profiles: Richardson, TX Β· Pasadena, CA.