Moving from Killeen, TX to Pasadena, CA
It is 1385 mi between Killeen and Pasadena — roughly 24h 5m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1385 mi · 24h 5m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 190, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler, Gilbert |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Killeen | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.132 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.242 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.884 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 91.132 in Killeen to 113.566 in Pasadena, putting overall prices 24.6% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 24.6% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $219,957 to $1,209,228 moving to Pasadena.
YoY change: Killeen -1.3%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Killeen | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.8" | 20.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Killeen (66.6°F) and Pasadena (66.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Pasadena gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: KILLEEN, TX US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Killeen | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,144 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $58,339 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 30 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.61 | 2.39 |
Pasadena households earn about 24.6% more than Killeen at the median — $58,339 → $103,778 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 | 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 Texas 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
- 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
- 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
How far is Pasadena, CA from Killeen, TX?
The driving distance is 1385 mi and the route typically takes 24h 5m via I 10 and US 190. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Killeen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $42,230 in the Killeen MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 147,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Killeen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $219,957 in Killeen — a 449.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Killeen 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 1385 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Killeen vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $58,339 in Killeen — a 77.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Killeen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 24.6% higher than Killeen (113.566 vs 91.132, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Killeen and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 66.6°F in Killeen (0.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 34.8 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Killeen.
City profiles: Killeen, TX · Pasadena, CA.