Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Pasadena, CA
The 347 mi from Santa Clara to Pasadena translate to about 6h 32m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
347 mi Β· 6h 32m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 152, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Garden Grove, Pomona, Fullerton, Downey, West Covina |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Pasadena and Santa Clara is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Pasadena is 2.8% below Santa Clara β $1,782,192 vs $1,209,228 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 20.1" |
Climate warms by 5.3Β°F on the annual average β 60.7Β°F β 66.0Β°F.
Pasadena gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.39 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 2.8% between Santa Clara and Pasadena (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.
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.
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 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 32.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 347 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Santa Clara vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 40.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 2.8% higher than Santa Clara (113.566 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 347 mi and the route typically takes 6h 32m via I 5 and CA 152. 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 Santa Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA Β· Pasadena, CA.