Moving from El Paso, TX to Santa Ana, CA
It is 790 mi between El Paso and Santa Ana — roughly 14h 8m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
790 mi · 14h 8m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 95, CA 91 |
| Major cities en route | Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Paso | Santa Ana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.912 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.585 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.248 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 89.912 in El Paso to 113.566 in Santa Ana, putting overall prices 26.3% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 26.3% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $234,775 to $866,066 moving to Santa Ana.
YoY change: El Paso +1.4%, Santa Ana -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Paso | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 12.5" |
Annual average temperatures in El Paso (66.2°F) and Santa Ana (66.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Santa Ana gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: EL PASO INTL AP, TX US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Paso | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 311,639 |
| Median household income | $58,734 | $88,354 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 12.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.8 | 3.91 |
Santa Ana households earn about 26.3% more than El Paso at the median — $58,734 → $88,354 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Ana 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.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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: Santa Ana sees only 12.5 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 — 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from El Paso to Santa Ana?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 790 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Santa Ana more expensive than El Paso?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Ana is 26.3% higher than El Paso (113.566 vs 89.912, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in El Paso vs Santa Ana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,354 in Santa Ana vs $58,734 in El Paso — a 50.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Santa Ana compare to El Paso?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA vs $36,000 in the El Paso MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 323,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between El Paso and Santa Ana?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.1°F in Santa Ana vs 66.2°F in El Paso (0.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 2.8 in. Annual precipitation: 12.5 in vs 8.8 in.
How much do homes cost in Santa Ana compared to El Paso?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $866,066 in Santa Ana vs $234,775 in El Paso — a 268.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Santa Ana, CA from El Paso, TX?
The driving distance is 790 mi and the route typically takes 14h 8m via I 10 and US 95. The trip crosses 4 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 El Paso.
City profiles: El Paso, TX · Santa Ana, CA.