Moving from Arlington, TX to Pasadena, TX
It is a 273 mi drive, roughly 4h 58m, between Arlington, TX and Pasadena, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
273 mi Β· 4h 58m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, I 20, TX 3 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Lewisville, Grand Prairie, Irving, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 103.09 vs 98.629 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 4.3% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $310,971 to $217,449 moving to Pasadena.
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Pasadena -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 55.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Arlington (66.8Β°F) and Pasadena (71.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, HOUSTON HOBBY AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 149,345 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $64,270 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 10.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 3 |
Households in Pasadena earn about 4.3% less at the median β 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 | 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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 273 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Pasadena, TX from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 273 mi and the route typically takes 4h 58m via I 45 and I 20. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 4.3% lower than Arlington (98.629 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Pasadena MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,449 in Pasadena vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 30.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Arlington vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,270 in Pasadena vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 12.6% 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 Arlington.
City profiles: Arlington, TX Β· Pasadena, TX.