Moving from Santa Rosa, CA to Pasadena, CA
Moving from Santa Rosa, CA to Pasadena, CA covers 429 mi and about 8h 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.
429 mi · 8h 2m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 580, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Richmond, Vallejo, Fairfield, Berkeley, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Rosa | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 107.784 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.777 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 139.569 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Pasadena is 5.4% higher than Santa Rosa, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Pasadena is 5.4% above Santa Rosa — $718,726 vs $1,209,228 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Santa Rosa -2.2%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Rosa | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 31.5" | 20.1" |
Pasadena runs 7.0°F warmer on the annual average (59.0°F vs 66.0°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
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: SANTA ROSA, CA US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Rosa | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,216 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $97,410 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 40.5 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.39 |
Median household income in Pasadena is 5.4% above Santa Rosa ($97,410 → $103,778, 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 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
What is the climate difference between Santa Rosa and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 59.0°F in Santa Rosa (7.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 31.5 in.
How does household income compare in Santa Rosa vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $97,410 in Santa Rosa — a 6.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Santa Rosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 206,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Santa Rosa, CA?
The driving distance is 429 mi and the route typically takes 8h 2m via I 5 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Santa Rosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $718,726 in Santa Rosa — a 68.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Santa Rosa 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 429 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Santa Rosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 5.4% higher than Santa Rosa (113.566 vs 107.784, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Rosa.
City profiles: Santa Rosa, CA · Pasadena, CA.