Moving from Sparks, NV to Pasadena, CA
It is a 460 mi drive, roughly 9h 41m, between Sparks, NV and Pasadena, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
460 mi · 9h 41m by car · CA → NV
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 395, US 6 HIST, CA 14 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Garden Grove, Pomona, Torrance, Fullerton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sparks | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.014 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.274 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.271 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.478 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 12.4% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 12.4% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $529,283 to $1,209,228 moving to Pasadena.
YoY change: Sparks -0.5%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sparks | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 25°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 6.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.4" | 20.1" |
Annual temperature rises 12.5°F moving to Pasadena per 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: SPARKS, NV US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sparks | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,106 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $86,979 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.64 | 2.39 |
Households in Pasadena earn about 12.4% more at the median — ACS 5-year 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 Nevada 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.5°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
Is Pasadena more expensive than Sparks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 12.4% higher than Sparks (113.566 vs 101.014, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Sparks, NV?
The driving distance is 460 mi and the route typically takes 9h 41m via US 395 and US 6 HIST. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Sparks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $47,540 in the Sparks MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 254,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Sparks and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 53.5°F in Sparks (12.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 6.8 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 8.4 in.
How does household income compare in Sparks vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $86,979 in Sparks — a 19.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Sparks 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 460 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Sparks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $529,283 in Sparks — a 128.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sparks.
City profiles: Sparks, NV · Pasadena, CA.