Moving from Aurora, CO to Pasadena, TX
It is 1026 mi between Aurora and Pasadena β roughly 18h 48m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1026 mi Β· 18h 48m by car Β· CO β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 45, US 82 |
| Major cities en route | Denver, Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.8% moving from Aurora to Pasadena β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $463,081 in Aurora to $217,449 in Pasadena, a 6.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Aurora -4.3%, Pasadena -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Aurora | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 55.6" |
Annual average temperature jumps 20.3Β°F β 50.8Β°F in Aurora vs 71.1Β°F in Pasadena, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US, HOUSTON HOBBY AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 149,345 |
| Median household income | $84,320 | $64,270 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 10.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.73 | 3 |
Pasadena households earn about 6.8% less than Aurora at the median β $84,320 β $64,270 on ACS 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.
Moving between Colorado 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (20.3Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Aurora to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1026 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Pasadena MSA vs $58,490 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,270 in Pasadena vs $84,320 in Aurora β a 23.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Pasadena, TX from Aurora, CO?
The driving distance is 1026 mi and the route typically takes 18h 48m via US 287 and I 45. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,449 in Pasadena vs $463,081 in Aurora β a 53.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 6.8% lower than Aurora (98.629 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, CO Β· Pasadena, TX.