Moving from Hillsboro, OR to Santa Clarita, CA
It is 939 mi between Hillsboro and Santa Clarita β roughly 17h 47m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 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.
939 mi Β· 17h 47m by car Β· CA β OR
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, OR 217 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Glendale, Lancaster, Palmdale, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hillsboro | Santa Clarita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 7.7% above Hillsboro β 105.421 β 113.566 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
7.7% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Hillsboro -3.7%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hillsboro | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 16.8" |
Annual temperature rises 13.0Β°F moving to Santa Clarita per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Santa Clarita β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND-HILLSBORO AP, OR US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hillsboro | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,050 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $103,207 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.6% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 3.04 |
Households in Santa Clarita earn about 7.7% more at the median β ACS 5-year 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 Oregon 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.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
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 (13.0Β°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 does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Hillsboro?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita MSA vs $55,940 in the Hillsboro MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than Hillsboro?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita is 7.7% higher than Hillsboro (113.566 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Santa Clarita, CA from Hillsboro, OR?
The driving distance is 939 mi and the route typically takes 17h 47m via I 5 and OR 217. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Hillsboro vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $103,207 in Hillsboro β a 16.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Hillsboro 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 939 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 Hillsboro?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $522,557 in Hillsboro β a 53.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Hillsboro.
City profiles: Hillsboro, OR Β· Santa Clarita, CA.