Moving from Palmdale, CA to Pasadena, CA
Relocating from Palmdale, CA to Pasadena, CA? The drive is 46 mi — about 1h 12m. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
46 mi · 1h 12m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | N3, FH 59, CA 2 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Burbank, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palmdale | 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 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.0% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Palmdale | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | 20.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Pasadena — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PALMDALE, CA US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 2.39 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.0% — $81,151 → $103,778 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 | 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
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $501,257 in Palmdale — a 141.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Palmdale 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 46 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 46 mi and the route typically takes 1h 12m via N3 and FH 59. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale 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 does household income compare in Palmdale vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $81,151 in Palmdale — a 27.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Palmdale and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 63.6°F in Palmdale (2.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 7.3 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA · Pasadena, CA.