Moving from Fargo, ND to Santa Clarita, CA
It is 1774 mi and 31h 26m from Fargo to Santa Clarita β a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1774 mi Β· 31h 26m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β WY β SD β ND
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β WY β SD β ND |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, I 94, US 189 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Glendale, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fargo | Santa Clarita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.871 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.324 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.654 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 81.142 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 90.871 in Fargo to 113.566 in Santa Clarita, putting overall prices 25.0% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 25.0% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $314,973 to $802,016 moving to Santa Clarita.
YoY change: Fargo +4.2%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fargo | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 41Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | -2Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 16.8" |
Expect 24.1Β°F warmer on average per year β plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Santa Clarita gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FARGO 3S, ND US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fargo | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $66,029 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 3.04 |
Expect median household income to rise 25.0% β $66,029 β $119,926 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clarita 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 North Dakota 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains 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.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Santa Clarita average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (24.1Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Santa Clarita, CA from Fargo, ND?
The driving distance is 1774 mi and the route typically takes 31h 26m via I 15 and I 94. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fargo to Santa Clarita?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1774 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 Santa Clarita compared to Fargo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $314,973 in Fargo β a 154.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fargo vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $66,029 in Fargo β a 81.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Fargo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita MSA vs $48,110 in the Fargo MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 145,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than Fargo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita is 25.0% higher than Fargo (113.566 vs 90.871, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fargo.
City profiles: Fargo, ND Β· Santa Clarita, CA.