Moving from Wilmington, NC to Pasadena, TX
A move from Wilmington, NC to Pasadena, TX covers 1201 mi and around 22h 13m of driving through 7 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1201 mi Β· 22h 13m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β GA β SC β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β GA β SC β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, I 65 |
| Major cities en route | Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, Houston, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wilmington | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.422 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.902 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 93.215 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Wilmington (96.422) and Pasadena (98.629) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Pasadena: 2.3% below Wilmington on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, Pasadena -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Wilmington | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 55.6" |
Pasadena runs 6.7Β°F warmer on the annual average (64.4Β°F vs 71.1Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, HOUSTON HOBBY AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 149,345 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $64,270 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 10.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 3 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 North Carolina 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
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements 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 Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 1201 mi and the route typically takes 22h 13m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Wilmington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,449 in Pasadena vs $416,159 in Wilmington β a 47.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Wilmington vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,270 in Pasadena vs $63,900 in Wilmington β a 0.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Wilmington to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1201 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 2.3% higher than Wilmington (98.629 vs 96.422, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Pasadena MSA vs $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 142,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Wilmington.
City profiles: Wilmington, NC Β· Pasadena, TX.