Moving from Oakland, CA to Pasadena, CA
It is a 367 mi drive, roughly 6h 49m, between Oakland, CA and Pasadena, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
367 mi · 6h 49m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Berkeley, Richmond, Concord, San Mateo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oakland | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Oakland and Pasadena sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $716,248 in Oakland to $1,209,228 in Pasadena, a 1.8% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Oakland -8.5%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Oakland | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 45°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 72°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 22.6" | 20.1" |
Annual temperature rises 6.4°F moving to Pasadena per NOAA 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: OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oakland | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 438,072 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $97,369 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.39 |
Households in Pasadena earn about 1.8% more at the median — ACS 5-year 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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Oakland and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 59.6°F in Oakland (6.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 22.6 in.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Oakland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 1.8% lower than Oakland (113.566 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance is 367 mi and the route typically takes 6h 49m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Oakland 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 367 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Oakland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $716,248 in Oakland — a 68.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Oakland vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $97,369 in Oakland — a 6.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Oakland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $72,050 in the Oakland MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oakland.
City profiles: Oakland, CA · Pasadena, CA.