Moving from San Jose, CA to Pasadena, TX
A 1896 mi cross-country move between San Jose and Pasadena is 33h on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1896 mi Β· 33h by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Salinas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Jose | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 10.7% moving from San Jose to Pasadena β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,463,614 in San Jose to $217,449 in Pasadena, a 10.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: San Jose -2.5%, Pasadena -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Jose | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 55.6" |
Annual temperature rises 9.6Β°F moving to Pasadena per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, HOUSTON HOBBY AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Jose | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | 149,345 |
| Median household income | $141,565 | $64,270 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.2% | 10.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.03 | 3 |
Pasadena households earn about 10.7% less than San Jose at the median β $141,565 β $64,270 on 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.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
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
- 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Pasadena, TX from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance is 1896 mi and the route typically takes 33h 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 San Jose?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,449 in Pasadena vs $1,463,614 in San Jose β a 85.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to San Jose?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Pasadena MSA vs $81,470 in the San Jose MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Pasadena more expensive than San Jose?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 10.7% lower than San Jose (98.629 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from San Jose to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1896 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in San Jose vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,270 in Pasadena vs $141,565 in San Jose β a 54.6% lower 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 Jose.
City profiles: San Jose, CA Β· Pasadena, TX.