Moving from Goodyear, AZ to Irvine, CA
Moving from Goodyear, AZ to Irvine, CA covers 352 mi and about 6h 44m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
352 mi · 6h 44m by car · CA → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, CA 91, CA 60 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Goodyear | Irvine | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 9.9% pricier overall in Irvine than Goodyear on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Irvine typical home at $1,557,982 is 9.9% above Goodyear at $469,424 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Goodyear -1.2%, Irvine -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Goodyear | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 107°F | 85°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.4" | 14.1" |
Irvine is 9.0°F cooler on the annual average (73.9°F vs 64.9°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Irvine sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US, TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Goodyear | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,891 | 308,160 |
| Median household income | $101,814 | $129,647 |
| Median age | 40.8 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 39.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.87 | 2.75 |
Median household income in Irvine is 9.9% above Goodyear ($101,814 vs $129,647, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irvine 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 Arizona 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Irvine sees only 14.1 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
How does the job market in Irvine compare to Goodyear?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Irvine MSA vs $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Irvine compared to Goodyear?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,557,982 in Irvine vs $469,424 in Goodyear — a 231.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Goodyear vs Irvine?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,647 in Irvine vs $101,814 in Goodyear — a 27.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Irvine more expensive than Goodyear?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irvine is 9.9% higher than Goodyear (113.566 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Goodyear to Irvine?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 352 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Goodyear and Irvine?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.9°F in Irvine vs 73.9°F in Goodyear (9.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.1 in vs 7.4 in.
How far is Irvine, CA from Goodyear, AZ?
The driving distance is 352 mi and the route typically takes 6h 44m via I 10 and CA 91. The trip crosses 2 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 Goodyear.
City profiles: Goodyear, AZ · Irvine, CA.