Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Anaheim, CA
Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Anaheim, CA is a 20 mi drive, about 30 min by car. This is a local relocation β same-day moves are typical β but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
20 mi Β· 30 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 55, CA 91 |
| Major cities en route | Corona, Riverside, Jurupa Valley, Rialto, Fontana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Anaheim | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Costa Mesa (113.566) and Anaheim (113.566) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Anaheim: 0.0% below Costa Mesa on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Anaheim +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 13.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Anaheim β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, ANAHEIM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 344,553 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $90,583 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 19.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.26 |
Median household income in Anaheim is 0.0% below Costa Mesa ($110,073 β $90,583, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Anaheim 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 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Anaheim sees only 13.5 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Anaheim, CA from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 20 mi and the route typically takes 30 min via CA 55 and CA 91. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Anaheim compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Anaheim MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Anaheim?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 20 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 Costa Mesa vs Anaheim?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,583 in Anaheim vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 17.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Anaheim compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $950,504 in Anaheim vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 32.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Anaheim, CA.