Moving from Round Rock, TX to Pasadena, CA
It is 1396 mi between Round Rock and Pasadena — roughly 24h 9m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1396 mi · 24h 9m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, US 290 |
| 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
| Round Rock | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Pasadena runs about 15.8% more expensive overall than Round Rock — RPP 98.066 → 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $407,077 in Round Rock to $1,209,228 in Pasadena, a 15.8% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Round Rock -5.9%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Round Rock | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $97,187 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.1% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.39 |
Households in Pasadena earn about 15.8% more at the median — ACS 5-year 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 | 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- 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 — 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 does household income compare in Round Rock vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $97,187 in Round Rock — a 6.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Round Rock 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 1396 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Round Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Round Rock, TX?
The driving distance is 1396 mi and the route typically takes 24h 9m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Round Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $407,077 in Round Rock — a 197.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Round Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 15.8% higher than Round Rock (113.566 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Round Rock.
City profiles: Round Rock, TX · Pasadena, CA.