Moving from Pasadena, TX to El Paso, TX
The drive from Pasadena, TX to El Paso, TX runs 765 mi β about 12h 50m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
765 mi Β· 12h 50m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, TX 130, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Sugar Land, Houston, Pearland, League City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pasadena | El Paso | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 89.912 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 82.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 71.248 | 100.0 |
El Paso is 8.8% cheaper than Pasadena overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in El Paso is 8.8% above Pasadena ($234,775 vs $217,449 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Pasadena -3.6%, El Paso +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pasadena | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 8.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Pasadena (71.1Β°F) and El Paso (66.2Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
El Paso averages 2.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON HOBBY AP, TX US, EL PASO INTL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,345 | 678,147 |
| Median household income | $64,270 | $58,734 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.7% | 18.3% |
| Avg household size | 3 | 2.8 |
Income steps down 8.8%: $64,270 in Pasadena vs $58,734 in El Paso.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Paso MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 44,500 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 34,790 | $23,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 32,160 | $33,850 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,050 | $28,800 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 23,040 | $61,670 |
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in El Paso average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: El Paso sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in El Paso compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $36,000 in the El Paso MSA vs $46,960 in the Pasadena MSA, on total employment of 323,310 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is El Paso more expensive than Pasadena?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Paso is 8.8% lower than Pasadena (89.912 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is El Paso, TX from Pasadena, TX?
The driving distance is 765 mi and the route typically takes 12h 50m via I 10 and TX 130. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Pasadena to El Paso?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 765 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 El Paso compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $234,775 in El Paso vs $217,449 in Pasadena β a 8.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Pasadena vs El Paso?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,734 in El Paso vs $64,270 in Pasadena β a 8.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, TX Β· El Paso, TX.