Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Fullerton, CA
Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Fullerton, CA is a 21 mi drive, about 32 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.
21 mi Β· 32 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 55 |
| Major cities en route | Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Pomona, West Covina, El Monte |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Fullerton | 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 |
Fullerton and Costa Mesa are close on the overall BEA RPP (113.566 vs 113.566); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Fullerton typical home at $1,050,945 is 0.0% under Costa Mesa at $1,413,322 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Fullerton -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Fullerton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 11.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.9Β°F vs 66.2Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, FULLERTON MUNI AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Fullerton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 141,278 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $104,219 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 36.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 27.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.98 |
Median household income in Fullerton is 0.0% below Costa Mesa ($110,073 β $104,219, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fullerton 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: Fullerton sees only 11.9 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 Fullerton compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,050,945 in Fullerton vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 25.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Fullerton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 21 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Fullerton compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Fullerton 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.
How far is Fullerton, CA from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 21 mi and the route typically takes 32 min via I 5 and CA 55. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Fullerton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,219 in Fullerton vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 5.3% 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· Fullerton, CA.