Moving from Clearwater, FL to Garden Grove, CA
It is 2484 mi and 44h 24m from Clearwater to Garden Grove β a cross-country move across 8 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.
2484 mi Β· 44h 24m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 19, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Torrance, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clearwater | Garden Grove | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Garden Grove runs about 12.6% more expensive overall than Clearwater β RPP 100.89 β 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $339,488 in Clearwater to $1,013,183 in Garden Grove, a 12.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Clearwater -5.1%, Garden Grove +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Clearwater | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 53Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 53.6" | 12.5" |
Expect 7.8Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Garden Grove sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clearwater | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 170,603 |
| Median household income | $64,440 | $90,166 |
| Median age | 46.4 | 39.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 3.51 |
Expect median household income to rise 12.6% β $64,440 β $90,166 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Garden Grove 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 Florida 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 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
- Dry climate: Garden Grove sees only 12.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Clearwater vs Garden Grove?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,166 in Garden Grove vs $64,440 in Clearwater β a 39.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Garden Grove compare to Clearwater?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA vs $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Garden Grove more expensive than Clearwater?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garden Grove is 12.6% higher than Clearwater (113.566 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Garden Grove, CA from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance is 2484 mi and the route typically takes 44h 24m via I 10 and US 19. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Garden Grove compared to Clearwater?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,013,183 in Garden Grove vs $339,488 in Clearwater β a 198.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Clearwater to Garden Grove?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2484 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 Clearwater.
City profiles: Clearwater, FL Β· Garden Grove, CA.