Moving from San Antonio, TX to Pasadena, CA
The drive from San Antonio, TX to Pasadena, CA runs 1347 mi — about 22h 54m 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.
1347 mi · 22h 54m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler, Gilbert |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 94.716 in San Antonio to 113.566 in Pasadena, a 19.9% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Pasadena: 19.9% above San Antonio on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Antonio | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 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: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.39 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 19.9% between San Antonio 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.
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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $249,810 in San Antonio — a 384.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Pasadena more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 19.9% higher than San Antonio (113.566 vs 94.716, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from San Antonio 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 1347 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 San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between San Antonio and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 69.0°F in San Antonio (3.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 34.0 in.
How far is Pasadena, CA from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 1347 mi and the route typically takes 22h 54m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $62,917 in San Antonio — a 64.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Antonio.
City profiles: San Antonio, TX · Pasadena, CA.