Moving from San Bernardino, CA to Pasadena, CA
Moving from San Bernardino, CA to Pasadena, CA covers 51 mi and about 1h 2m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
51 mi · 1h 2m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 210 |
| Major cities en route | Moreno Valley, Victorville, Riverside, Rialto, Fontana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Bernardino | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Pasadena is 6.7% higher than San Bernardino, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Pasadena is 6.7% above San Bernardino — $487,988 vs $1,209,228 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: San Bernardino -0.3%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Bernardino | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.9" | 20.1" |
Annual average temperatures in San Bernardino (65.2°F) and Pasadena (66.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Pasadena gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: REDLANDS, CA US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Bernardino | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,774 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $63,988 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 3.51 | 2.39 |
Median household income in Pasadena is 6.7% above San Bernardino ($63,988 vs $103,778, 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.
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
- 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
- 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.
Frequently asked
Is Pasadena more expensive than San Bernardino?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 6.7% higher than San Bernardino (113.566 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to San Bernardino?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $47,450 in the San Bernardino MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between San Bernardino and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 65.2°F in San Bernardino (0.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 12.9 in.
When is the best time to move from San Bernardino 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 51 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in San Bernardino vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $63,988 in San Bernardino — a 62.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to San Bernardino?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $487,988 in San Bernardino — a 147.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Pasadena, CA from San Bernardino, CA?
The driving distance is 51 mi and the route typically takes 1h 2m via CA 210. The trip crosses 1 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 San Bernardino.
City profiles: San Bernardino, CA · Pasadena, CA.