Moving from Dallas, TX to Pasadena, TX
Moving from Dallas, TX to Pasadena, TX covers 257 mi and about 4h 40m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
257 mi Β· 4h 40m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, TX 3, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Garland, Frisco, Mckinney, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dallas | 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 cost of living in Pasadena and Dallas is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Pasadena is 4.3% below Dallas β $309,421 vs $217,449 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Dallas -3.6%, Pasadena -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Dallas | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 55.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Dallas (68.0Β°F) and Pasadena (71.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US, HOUSTON HOBBY AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dallas | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 149,345 |
| Median household income | $67,760 | $64,270 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 10.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 3 |
Median household income in Pasadena is 4.3% below Dallas ($67,760 β $64,270, 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 Dallas vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,270 in Pasadena vs $67,760 in Dallas β a 5.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Dallas?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,449 in Pasadena vs $309,421 in Dallas β a 29.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Dallas?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 4.3% lower than Dallas (98.629 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Pasadena, TX from Dallas, TX?
The driving distance is 257 mi and the route typically takes 4h 40m via I 45 and TX 3. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Dallas?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Pasadena MSA vs $48,440 in the Dallas 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.
When is the best time to move from Dallas to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 257 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dallas.
City profiles: Dallas, TX Β· Pasadena, TX.