Moving from Reno, NV to Pasadena, CA
It is 516 mi between Reno and Pasadena — roughly 9h 37m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
516 mi · 9h 37m by car · NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 80, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Sparks, Roseville, Sacramento, Elk Grove, Antioch |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Reno | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.014 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.274 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.271 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.478 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 12.4% above Reno — 101.014 → 113.566 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.4% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Reno -0.4%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Reno | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 27°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 29.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.1" | 20.1" |
Annual temperature rises 11.5°F moving to Pasadena per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Pasadena — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RENO WFO, NV US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Reno | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $78,448 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.39 |
Pasadena households earn about 12.4% more than Reno at the median — $78,448 → $103,778 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pasadena 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 Nevada 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 — 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
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.5°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Reno?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $47,540 in the Reno MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 254,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Reno?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $567,857 in Reno — a 112.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Reno and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 54.5°F in Reno (11.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 29.7 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 8.1 in.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Reno?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 12.4% higher than Reno (113.566 vs 101.014, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Reno to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 516 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Reno, NV?
The driving distance is 516 mi and the route typically takes 9h 37m via I 5 and I 80. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Reno vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $78,448 in Reno — a 32.3% higher 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 Reno.
City profiles: Reno, NV · Pasadena, CA.