Moving from Richmond, CA to Pasadena, CA
Relocating between Richmond, CA and Pasadena, CA is a 384 mi drive — 7h 9m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
384 mi · 7h 9m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 580, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Garden Grove, Pomona, Fullerton, Downey, West Covina |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 115.613 vs 113.566 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.8% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $606,427 to $1,209,228 moving to Pasadena.
YoY change: Richmond -5.4%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Richmond | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 71°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 20.1" |
Expect 7.2°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Pasadena gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RICHMOND, CA US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.2% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.85 | 2.39 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.8% higher in Pasadena than Richmond.
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.
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
- 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
When is the best time to move from Richmond to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 384 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Richmond, CA?
The driving distance is 384 mi and the route typically takes 7h 9m via I 5 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Richmond and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 58.8°F in Richmond (7.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 24.4 in.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $606,427 in Richmond — a 99.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $90,038 in Richmond — a 15.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 1.8% lower than Richmond (113.566 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $72,050 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, CA · Pasadena, CA.