Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Antioch, CA
Relocating between Costa Mesa, CA and Antioch, CA is a 389 mi drive β 7h 27m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
389 mi Β· 7h 27m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Oakland, Vallejo, Concord, Berkeley, Fairfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Antioch | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Costa Mesa and Antioch sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa to $598,211 in Antioch, a 1.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Antioch -3.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Antioch |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 12.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.9Β°F vs 62.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Antioch sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, ANTIOCH PUMPING PLT #3, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Antioch |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 115,759 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $94,256 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 17.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.13 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.8% lower in Antioch than Costa Mesa.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Antioch MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Antioch average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Antioch sees only 12.6 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 much do homes cost in Antioch compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $598,211 in Antioch vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 57.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Antioch?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 389 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Antioch, CA from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 389 mi and the route typically takes 7h 27m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Antioch more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Antioch is 1.8% higher than Costa Mesa (115.613 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Antioch compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Antioch MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Antioch?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,256 in Antioch vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 14.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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· Antioch, CA.