Moving from Clearwater, FL to Santa Clarita, CA
Moving from Clearwater, FL to Santa Clarita, CA is a 2524 mi cross-country relocation β about 45h 10m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2524 mi Β· 45h 10m 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 | Lancaster, Palmdale, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clearwater | Santa Clarita | 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 |
BEA RPP moves from 100.89 in Clearwater to 113.566 in Santa Clarita, a 12.6% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Santa Clarita: 12.6% above Clearwater on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Clearwater -5.1%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Clearwater | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 53Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 53.6" | 16.8" |
Santa Clarita is 8.4Β°F cooler on the annual average (73.9Β°F vs 65.5Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Santa Clarita β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clearwater | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $64,440 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 46.4 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 3.04 |
Median household income in Santa Clarita is 12.6% above Clearwater ($64,440 vs $119,926, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clarita 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Santa Clarita average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 far is Santa Clarita, CA from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance is 2524 mi and the route typically takes 45h 10m via I 10 and US 19. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Clearwater to Santa Clarita?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2524 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 Clearwater vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $64,440 in Clearwater β a 86.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clarita compared to Clearwater?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $339,488 in Clearwater β a 136.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than Clearwater?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita 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 does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Clearwater?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita 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 Clarita, CA.