Moving from Savannah, GA to Pasadena, CA
It is 2413 mi and 42h 17m from Savannah to Pasadena — a cross-country move across 10 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2413 mi · 42h 17m by car · GA → AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | GA → AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 22, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | South Fulton, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Birmingham, Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Savannah | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.206 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.603 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.269 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.012 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Pasadena runs about 19.3% more expensive overall than Savannah — RPP 95.206 → 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $326,509 in Savannah to $1,209,228 in Pasadena, a 19.3% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Savannah -3.5%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Savannah | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 20.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 67.5°F vs 66.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Pasadena sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Savannah | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $56,782 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 2.39 |
Expect median household income to rise 19.3% — $56,782 → $103,778 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Georgia 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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 Savannah?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $326,509 in Savannah — a 270.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Savannah 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 2413 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Savannah and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 67.5°F in Savannah (1.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 48.1 in.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Savannah?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $43,490 in the Savannah MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 188,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Savannah?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 19.3% higher than Savannah (113.566 vs 95.206, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Savannah vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $56,782 in Savannah — a 82.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Savannah, GA?
The driving distance is 2413 mi and the route typically takes 42h 17m via I 40 and I 22. The trip crosses 10 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 Savannah.
City profiles: Savannah, GA · Pasadena, CA.