Moving from Round Rock, TX to Pasadena, TX
It is a 184 mi drive, roughly 3h 42m, between Round Rock, TX and Pasadena, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
184 mi · 3h 42m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 290, TX 45 TOLL, I 45 |
| Major cities en route | League City, Pearland, Houston, Sugar Land, College Station |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Round Rock | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Round Rock and Pasadena sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $407,077 in Round Rock to $217,449 in Pasadena, a 0.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Round Rock -5.9%, Pasadena -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Round Rock | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 149,345 |
| Median household income | $97,187 | $64,270 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.1% | 10.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3 |
Pasadena households earn about 0.6% less than Round Rock at the median — $97,187 → $64,270 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 | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Pasadena average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Pasadena averages 55.6 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Round Rock 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 184 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Round Rock vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,270 in Pasadena vs $97,187 in Round Rock — a 33.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Round Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,449 in Pasadena vs $407,077 in Round Rock — a 46.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Pasadena, TX from Round Rock, TX?
The driving distance is 184 mi and the route typically takes 3h 42m via US 290 and TX 45 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Round Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 0.6% higher than Round Rock (98.629 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Round Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Pasadena MSA vs $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Round Rock.
City profiles: Round Rock, TX · Pasadena, TX.