Moving from Sacramento, CA to Pasadena, CA
The 386 mi from Sacramento to Pasadena translate to about 7h 7m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — 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.
386 mi · 7h 7m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Roseville, Elk Grove, Antioch, Stockton, Modesto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sacramento | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 106.67 in Sacramento to 113.566 in Pasadena, a 6.5% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Pasadena: 6.5% above Sacramento on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Sacramento -2.5%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sacramento | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.2" | 20.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Pasadena — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sacramento | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $83,753 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.39 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 6.5% between Sacramento 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 | 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 Sacramento 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 386 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Sacramento vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $83,753 in Sacramento — a 23.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Sacramento?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 6.5% higher than Sacramento (113.566 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Sacramento and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 63.4°F in Sacramento (2.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 19.2 in.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Sacramento?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Sacramento?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $479,766 in Sacramento — a 152.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance is 386 mi and the route typically takes 7h 7m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. 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 Sacramento.
City profiles: Sacramento, CA · Pasadena, CA.