Moving from Fullerton, CA to Pasadena, CA
The drive from Fullerton to Pasadena covers 30 mi in about 49 min. Local moves still matter β school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
30 mi Β· 49 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 60, CA 19, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fullerton | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Fullerton (113.566) and Pasadena (113.566) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Pasadena at $1,209,228 is 0.0% above Fullerton at $1,050,945.
YoY change: Fullerton -0.4%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fullerton | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.9" | 20.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Pasadena β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FULLERTON MUNI AP, CA US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fullerton | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $104,219 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.4% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.39 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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.
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
- 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
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β 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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Fullerton to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 30 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 Fullerton vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $104,219 in Fullerton β a 0.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Fullerton, CA?
The driving distance is 30 mi and the route typically takes 49 min via CA 60 and CA 19. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Fullerton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $50,490 in the Fullerton MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Fullerton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $1,050,945 in Fullerton β a 15.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fullerton.
City profiles: Fullerton, CA Β· Pasadena, CA.