Moving from Carrollton, TX to Pasadena, TX
It is a 279 mi drive, roughly 5h 5m, between Carrollton, 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.
279 mi Β· 5h 5m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, SHT, I 35E |
| Major cities en route | Pearland, League City, Houston, Sugar Land, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Carrollton | 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 |
Carrollton and Pasadena sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $406,040 in Carrollton to $217,449 in Pasadena, a 4.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Carrollton -4.6%, Pasadena -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Carrollton | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 55.6" |
Annual temperature rises 5.3Β°F moving to Pasadena per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, HOUSTON HOBBY AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Carrollton | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 149,345 |
| Median household income | $99,115 | $64,270 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 10.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3 |
Pasadena households earn about 4.3% less than Carrollton at the median β $99,115 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.
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
How does household income compare in Carrollton vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,270 in Pasadena vs $99,115 in Carrollton β a 35.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Carrollton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Pasadena MSA vs $48,440 in the Carrollton 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 far is Pasadena, TX from Carrollton, TX?
The driving distance is 279 mi and the route typically takes 5h 5m via I 45 and SHT. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Carrollton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 4.3% lower than Carrollton (98.629 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Carrollton to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 279 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Carrollton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,449 in Pasadena vs $406,040 in Carrollton β a 46.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Carrollton.
City profiles: Carrollton, TX Β· Pasadena, TX.