Moving from Pasadena, CA to Santa Clarita, CA
It is a short 34 mi hop from Pasadena, CA to Santa Clarita, CA — roughly 44 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
34 mi · 44 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 210, CA 14, CA 14U |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Palmdale, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pasadena | Santa Clarita | 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 |
Overall price level is comparable — 113.566 vs 113.566 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.0% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $1,209,228 to $802,016 moving to Santa Clarita.
YoY change: Pasadena -1.0%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Pasadena | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.1" | 16.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Pasadena (66.0°F) and Santa Clarita (65.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Santa Clarita 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, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,462 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $103,778 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 3.04 |
Households in Santa Clarita earn about 0.0% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clarita 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Santa Clarita average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 far is Santa Clarita, CA from Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance is 34 mi and the route typically takes 44 min via I 210 and CA 14. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita 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 does household income compare in Pasadena vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $103,778 in Pasadena — a 15.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Pasadena to Santa Clarita?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 34 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clarita compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $1,209,228 in Pasadena — a 33.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Pasadena and Santa Clarita?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.5°F in Santa Clarita vs 66.0°F in Pasadena (0.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.8 in vs 20.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, CA · Santa Clarita, CA.