Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Pasadena, CA
Relocating from Santa Ana, CA to Pasadena, CA? The drive is 40 mi — about 57 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
40 mi · 57 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 710, US 66 HISTORIC |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Corona, Jurupa Valley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 113.566 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 0.0% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $866,066 to $1,209,228 moving to Pasadena.
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Ana | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 20.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Santa Ana (66.1°F) and Pasadena (66.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA 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: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 2.39 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.0% higher in Pasadena than Santa Ana.
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 Santa Ana 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 40 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $88,354 in Santa Ana — a 17.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 40 mi and the route typically takes 57 min via I 5 and I 710. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $866,066 in Santa Ana — a 39.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Santa Ana and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 66.1°F in Santa Ana (0.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 12.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA · Pasadena, CA.