Moving from Pasadena, TX to Fullerton, CA
Moving from Pasadena, TX to Fullerton, CA is a 1548 mi cross-country relocation β about 26h 37m of driving through 4 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1548 mi Β· 26h 37m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | League City, Pearland, Houston, Sugar Land, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pasadena | Fullerton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 15.1% pricier overall in Fullerton than Pasadena on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Fullerton typical home at $1,050,945 is 15.1% above Pasadena at $217,449 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Pasadena -3.6%, Fullerton -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pasadena | Fullerton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 11.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 71.1Β°F vs 66.2Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON HOBBY AP, TX US, FULLERTON MUNI AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | Fullerton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,345 | 141,278 |
| Median household income | $64,270 | $104,219 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 36.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.7% | 27.4% |
| Avg household size | 3 | 2.98 |
Median household income in Fullerton is 15.1% above Pasadena ($64,270 vs $104,219, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fullerton 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.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- 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
- Dry climate: Fullerton sees only 11.9 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Pasadena to Fullerton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1548 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Fullerton compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Fullerton MSA vs $46,960 in the Pasadena MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Fullerton more expensive than Pasadena?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fullerton is 15.1% higher than Pasadena (113.566 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fullerton compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,050,945 in Fullerton vs $217,449 in Pasadena β a 383.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Pasadena vs Fullerton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,219 in Fullerton vs $64,270 in Pasadena β a 62.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Fullerton, CA from Pasadena, TX?
The driving distance is 1548 mi and the route typically takes 26h 37m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, TX Β· Fullerton, CA.