Moving from Pasadena, CA to Houston, TX
It is 1540 mi and 26h 21m from Pasadena to Houston — a cross-country move across 4 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1540 mi · 26h 21m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pasadena | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.2% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Houston at 98.629 vs Pasadena at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.2% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $1,209,228 to $264,336 moving to Houston.
YoY change: Pasadena -1.0%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Pasadena | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.1" | 54.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Pasadena (66.0°F) and Houston (70.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Houston 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: PASADENA, CA US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,462 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $103,778 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.51 |
Expect median household income to fall 13.2% — $103,778 → $62,894 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Houston average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Houston, TX from Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance is 1540 mi and the route typically takes 26h 21m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Pasadena vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $103,778 in Pasadena — a 39.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Houston more expensive than Pasadena?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 13.2% lower than Pasadena (98.629 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Pasadena to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1540 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Pasadena and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 66.0°F in Pasadena (4.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 20.1 in.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $1,209,228 in Pasadena — a 78.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, CA · Houston, TX.