Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Elk Grove, CA
It is a 412 mi drive, roughly 7h 42m, between Costa Mesa, CA and Elk Grove, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
412 mi Β· 7h 42m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Sacramento, Roseville, Stockton, Antioch, Modesto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Elk Grove | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.1% moving from Costa Mesa to Elk Grove β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa to $637,450 in Elk Grove, a 6.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Elk Grove -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Elk Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 18.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.9Β°F vs 61.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Elk Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 177,221 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $122,229 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.24 |
Households in Elk Grove earn about 6.1% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elk Grove MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
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 Elk Grove average 93Β°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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Elk Grove?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $122,229 in Elk Grove vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 11.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Elk Grove more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elk Grove is 6.1% lower than Costa Mesa (106.67 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Elk Grove compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 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 Elk Grove?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 412 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Elk Grove compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $637,450 in Elk Grove vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 54.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Elk Grove, CA from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 412 mi and the route typically takes 7h 42m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
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· Elk Grove, CA.