Moving from Richardson, TX to Pasadena, TX
The 273 mi from Richardson to Pasadena translate to about 4h 55m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β 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.
273 mi Β· 4h 55m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, SHT, HTR |
| Major cities en route | Pearland, League City, Houston, Sugar Land, Mesquite |
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 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Pasadena and Richardson is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Pasadena is 4.3% below Richardson β $440,400 vs $217,449 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Richardson -2.4%, Pasadena -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richardson | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 55.6" |
Climate warms by 5.3Β°F on the annual average β 65.8Β°F β 71.1Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, HOUSTON HOBBY AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richardson | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,269 | 149,345 |
| Median household income | $96,257 | $64,270 |
| Median age | 34 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 10.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 4.3% between Richardson and Pasadena (ACS 2023).
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 | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 Pasadena average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Pasadena averages 55.6 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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
Is Pasadena more expensive than Richardson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 4.3% lower than Richardson (98.629 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Richardson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,449 in Pasadena vs $440,400 in Richardson β a 50.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Richardson vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,270 in Pasadena vs $96,257 in Richardson β a 33.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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 273 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Richardson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Pasadena MSA vs $48,440 in the Richardson MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Pasadena, TX from Richardson, TX?
The driving distance is 273 mi and the route typically takes 4h 55m via I 45 and SHT. The trip crosses 1 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, TX.