Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Pasadena, TX
It is 1552 mi and 26h 39m from Santa Ana to Pasadena β a cross-country move across 4 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1552 mi Β· 26h 39m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Torrance, Downey |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.2% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Pasadena at 98.629 vs Santa Ana at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.2% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $866,066 to $217,449 moving to Pasadena.
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Pasadena -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Ana | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 55.6" |
Expect 5.0Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, HOUSTON HOBBY AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 149,345 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $64,270 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 10.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 3 |
Expect median household income to fall 13.2% β $88,354 β $64,270 per ACS 5-year estimates (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.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Pasadena average 93Β°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 β 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,449 in Pasadena vs $866,066 in Santa Ana β a 74.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Pasadena MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Pasadena, TX from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 1552 mi and the route typically takes 26h 39m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,270 in Pasadena vs $88,354 in Santa Ana β a 27.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 13.2% lower than Santa Ana (98.629 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1552 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA Β· Pasadena, TX.