Moving from Omaha, NE to Pasadena, CA
Cross-country relocations like Omaha, NE β Pasadena, CA cover 1538 mi and about 26h 36m of driving through 6 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1538 mi Β· 26h 36m by car Β· NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Lincoln, Greeley, Aurora, Thornton, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Omaha | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.911 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.378 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.063 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.404 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level in Pasadena runs 23.6% higher than Omaha β a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (91.911 β 113.566, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Pasadena is 23.6% above Omaha β $294,189 vs $1,209,228 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Omaha +1.2%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Omaha | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 20.1" |
Climate warms by 14.7Β°F on the annual average β 51.3Β°F β 66.0Β°F.
Pasadena gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OMAHA #1, NE US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Omaha | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $72,708 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.6% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.39 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 23.6% between Omaha and Pasadena (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 Nebraska 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 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.7Β°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 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Omaha vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $72,708 in Omaha β a 42.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Omaha?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 23.6% higher than Omaha (113.566 vs 91.911, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Omaha, NE?
The driving distance is 1538 mi and the route typically takes 26h 36m via I 70 and I 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Omaha?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $47,580 in the Omaha MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 483,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Omaha to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1538 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Omaha?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $294,189 in Omaha β a 311.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Omaha.
City profiles: Omaha, NE Β· Pasadena, CA.