Moving from Elgin, IL to Pasadena, CA
It is 1978 mi and 34h 48m from Elgin to Pasadena — a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1978 mi · 34h 48m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Palmdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elgin | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Pasadena runs about 9.6% more expensive overall than Elgin — RPP 103.595 → 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $329,682 in Elgin to $1,209,228 in Pasadena, a 9.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Elgin +3.2%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elgin | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.9" | 20.1" |
Annual average temperature jumps 17.0°F — 49.0°F in Elgin vs 66.0°F in Pasadena, per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Pasadena sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ELGIN, IL US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elgin | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $88,316 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.94 | 2.39 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 9.6% higher in Pasadena than Elgin.
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 | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.0°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Pasadena more expensive than Elgin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 9.6% higher than Elgin (113.566 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Elgin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $49,790 in the Elgin MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Elgin to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1978 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Elgin and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 49.0°F in Elgin (17.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 32.1 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 39.9 in.
How does household income compare in Elgin vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $88,316 in Elgin — a 17.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance is 1978 mi and the route typically takes 34h 48m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Elgin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $329,682 in Elgin — a 266.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elgin.
City profiles: Elgin, IL · Pasadena, CA.