Moving from Clearwater, FL to Santa Ana, CA
Cross-country relocations like Clearwater, FL β Santa Ana, CA cover 2481 mi and about 44h 23m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2481 mi Β· 44h 23m 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, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Torrance |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clearwater | Santa Ana | 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 |
Overall cost of living in Santa Ana is 12.6% higher than Clearwater, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Santa Ana is 12.6% above Clearwater β $339,488 vs $866,066 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Clearwater -5.1%, Santa Ana -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Clearwater | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| 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" |
Climate cools by 7.8Β°F on the annual average β 73.9Β°F β 66.1Β°F.
Santa Ana 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: ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clearwater | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 311,639 |
| Median household income | $64,440 | $88,354 |
| Median age | 46.4 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 12.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 3.91 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 12.6% between Clearwater and Santa Ana (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Ana 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: Santa Ana 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
When is the best time to move from Clearwater to Santa Ana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2481 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Santa Ana more expensive than Clearwater?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Ana 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 much do homes cost in Santa Ana compared to Clearwater?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $866,066 in Santa Ana vs $339,488 in Clearwater β a 155.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Santa Ana, CA from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance is 2481 mi and the route typically takes 44h 23m via I 10 and US 19. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Clearwater vs Santa Ana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,354 in Santa Ana vs $64,440 in Clearwater β a 37.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Santa Ana compare to Clearwater?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Ana 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clearwater.
City profiles: Clearwater, FL Β· Santa Ana, CA.