Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Huntington Beach, CA
Relocating from Costa Mesa, CA to Huntington Beach, CA? The drive is 8.0 mi β about 15 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
8.0 mi Β· 15 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 405 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Torrance, Inglewood, Downey, El Monte |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Huntington Beach | 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 |
Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach 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 for Huntington Beach ($1,366,658) sits close to Costa Mesa ($1,413,322) β no material housing gap.
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Huntington Beach +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Huntington Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 79Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 11.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.9Β°F vs 64.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Huntington Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 196,010 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $119,885 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 43.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.53 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.0% higher in Huntington Beach than Costa Mesa.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Huntington Beach 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: Huntington Beach sees only 11.2 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
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Huntington Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 8.0 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 Huntington Beach compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Huntington Beach 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 does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Huntington Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,885 in Huntington Beach vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 8.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Huntington Beach compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,366,658 in Huntington Beach vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 3.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Huntington Beach, CA from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 8.0 mi and the route typically takes 15 min via I 405. 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· Huntington Beach, CA.