Moving from Fairfield, CA to Pasadena, TX
It is 1955 mi and 34h 4m from Fairfield to Pasadena β a cross-country move across 4 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.
1955 mi Β· 34h 4m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | League City, Pearland, Houston, Sugar Land, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Expect about 9.1% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Pasadena at 98.629 vs Fairfield at 108.479.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.1% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $609,269 to $217,449 moving to Pasadena.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Pasadena -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fairfield | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 55.6" |
Expect 9.4Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, HOUSTON HOBBY AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 149,345 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $64,270 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 10.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 3 |
Expect median household income to fall 9.1% β $102,321 β $64,270 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 California 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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.
- 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
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,449 in Pasadena vs $609,269 in Fairfield β a 64.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 9.1% lower than Fairfield (98.629 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Pasadena, TX from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 1955 mi and the route typically takes 34h 4m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Pasadena MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1955 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,270 in Pasadena vs $102,321 in Fairfield β a 37.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA Β· Pasadena, TX.