Moving from College Station, TX to Pasadena, TX
It is a 110 mi drive, roughly 2h 9m, between College Station, 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.
110 mi Β· 2h 9m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 249 TOLL, SHT, TX 6 |
| Major cities en route | League City, Pearland, Houston, Sugar Land |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| College Station | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.951 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.39 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.088 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Pasadena runs about 8.4% more expensive overall than College Station β RPP 90.951 β 98.629.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $349,041 in College Station to $217,449 in Pasadena, a 8.4% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, Pasadena -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | College Station | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 55.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 69.4Β°F vs 71.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLLEGE STN, TX US, HOUSTON HOBBY AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 149,345 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $64,270 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 10.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 3 |
Pasadena households earn about 8.4% more than College Station at the median β $51,776 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 College Station vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,270 in Pasadena vs $51,776 in College Station β a 24.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from College Station to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 110 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 College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Pasadena MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 128,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Pasadena, TX from College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 110 mi and the route typically takes 2h 9m via TX 249 TOLL and SHT. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,449 in Pasadena vs $349,041 in College Station β a 37.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Pasadena more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 8.4% higher than College Station (98.629 vs 90.951, 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 College Station.
City profiles: College Station, TX Β· Pasadena, TX.