Moving from Fresno, CA to Santa Clarita, CA
Relocating between Fresno, CA and Santa Clarita, CA is a 193 mi drive — 3h 39m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
193 mi · 3h 39m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 5, CA 41 |
| Major cities en route | Clovis, Visalia, Bakersfield, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fresno | Santa Clarita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.158 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 161.01 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.725 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 11.2% above Fresno — 102.158 → 113.566 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
11.2% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fresno +0.1%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fresno | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 16.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Santa Clarita — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fresno | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $66,804 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.03 | 3.04 |
Expect median household income to rise 11.2% — $66,804 → $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.
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
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Santa Clarita average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Fresno vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $66,804 in Fresno — a 79.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clarita compared to Fresno?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $391,328 in Fresno — a 104.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Fresno?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita MSA vs $44,530 in the Fresno MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 408,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Santa Clarita, CA from Fresno, CA?
The driving distance is 193 mi and the route typically takes 3h 39m via CA 99 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fresno to Santa Clarita?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 193 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than Fresno?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita is 11.2% higher than Fresno (113.566 vs 102.158, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Fresno and Santa Clarita?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.5°F in Santa Clarita vs 65.0°F in Fresno (0.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.8 in vs 11.0 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fresno.
City profiles: Fresno, CA · Santa Clarita, CA.