Moving from Renton, WA to Pasadena, CA
It is 1129 mi between Renton and Pasadena β roughly 21h 21m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
1129 mi Β· 21h 21m by car Β· CA β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Garden Grove, Pomona, Torrance, Fullerton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Renton and Pasadena 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
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $764,375 in Renton to $1,209,228 in Pasadena, a 2.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 20.1" |
Annual temperature rises 12.4Β°F moving to Pasadena per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Pasadena sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.39 |
Households in Pasadena earn about 2.2% more at the median β ACS 5-year 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 Washington 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 (12.4Β°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 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
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Renton vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $96,626 in Renton β a 7.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $764,375 in Renton β a 58.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Renton to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1129 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 2.2% higher than Renton (113.566 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 1129 mi and the route typically takes 21h 21m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 3 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 Renton.
City profiles: Renton, WA Β· Pasadena, CA.