Moving from Seattle, WA to Pasadena, CA
It is 1138 mi between Seattle and Pasadena — roughly 21h 35m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1138 mi · 21h 35m by car · WA → OR → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | WA → OR → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Bellevue, Renton, Kent, Tacoma |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Seattle 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 climbs from $868,680 in Seattle to $1,209,228 in Pasadena, a 2.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Seattle | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 20.1" |
Annual temperature rises 12.8°F moving to Pasadena per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Pasadena sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.39 |
Households in Pasadena earn about 2.2% less at the median — 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.
Moving between Washington and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- 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
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.8°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Seattle and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 53.2°F in Seattle (12.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 37.8 in.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $868,680 in Seattle — a 39.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 2.2% higher than Seattle (113.566 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $121,984 in Seattle — a 14.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Seattle 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 1138 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 1138 mi and the route typically takes 21h 35m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 3 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 Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA · Pasadena, CA.