Moving from Elk Grove, CA to Anaheim, CA
It is a 409 mi drive, roughly 7h 39m, between Elk Grove, CA and Anaheim, 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.
409 mi Β· 7h 39m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Corona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elk Grove | Anaheim | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 6.5% above Elk Grove β 106.67 β 113.566 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.5% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Elk Grove -3.5%, Anaheim +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elk Grove | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 18.1" | 13.5" |
Annual temperature rises 5.9Β°F moving to Anaheim per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Anaheim β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US, ANAHEIM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elk Grove | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 344,553 |
| Median household income | $122,229 | $90,583 |
| Median age | 39 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 19.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.24 | 3.26 |
Anaheim households earn about 6.5% less than Elk Grove at the median β $122,229 β $90,583 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Anaheim 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: Anaheim sees only 13.5 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 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
Is Anaheim more expensive than Elk Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Anaheim is 6.5% higher than Elk Grove (113.566 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Elk Grove to Anaheim?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 409 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Anaheim, CA from Elk Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 409 mi and the route typically takes 7h 39m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Anaheim compared to Elk Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $950,504 in Anaheim vs $637,450 in Elk Grove β a 49.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Anaheim compare to Elk Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Anaheim MSA vs $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Elk Grove vs Anaheim?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,583 in Anaheim vs $122,229 in Elk Grove β a 25.9% 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 Elk Grove.
City profiles: Elk Grove, CA Β· Anaheim, CA.