Moving from Pasadena, CA to Huntington Beach, CA
Relocating from Pasadena, CA to Huntington Beach, CA? The drive is 40 mi β about 1h 1m. 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.
40 mi Β· 1h 1m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 605, I 5, I 405 |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pasadena | Huntington Beach | 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 |
Pasadena and Huntington Beach sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Huntington Beach run about 0.0% pricier β ZHVI $1,209,228 β $1,366,658 (2026-03).
YoY change: Pasadena -1.0%, Huntington Beach +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pasadena | Huntington Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 79Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 20.1" | 11.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.0Β°F vs 64.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PASADENA, CA US, SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | Huntington Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,462 | 196,010 |
| Median household income | $103,778 | $119,885 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 43.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.53 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.0% higher in Huntington Beach than Pasadena.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Huntington Beach 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 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
- 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
- Dry climate: Huntington Beach sees only 11.2 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Pasadena vs Huntington Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,885 in Huntington Beach vs $103,778 in Pasadena β a 15.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Huntington Beach compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Huntington Beach MSA vs $50,490 in the Pasadena 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 much do homes cost in Huntington Beach compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,366,658 in Huntington Beach vs $1,209,228 in Pasadena β a 13.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Huntington Beach, CA from Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance is 40 mi and the route typically takes 1h 1m via I 605 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Pasadena to Huntington Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 40 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, CA Β· Huntington Beach, CA.