Moving from Irving, TX to Santa Ana, CA
Relocating 1420 mi from Irving to Santa Ana is a 24h 29m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1420 mi · 24h 29m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Torrance, Downey |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Irving | Santa Ana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 10.2% above Irving — 103.09 → 113.566 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
10.2% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Irving -2.6%, Santa Ana -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Irving | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.6" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.0" | 12.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Santa Ana — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Irving | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 311,639 |
| Median household income | $79,641 | $88,354 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.8% | 12.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.71 | 3.91 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 10.2% higher in Santa Ana than Irving.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Ana 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 Texas 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.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Santa Ana sees only 12.5 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 — 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 much do homes cost in Santa Ana compared to Irving?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $866,066 in Santa Ana vs $341,503 in Irving — a 153.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Santa Ana compare to Irving?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA vs $48,440 in the Irving MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Irving vs Santa Ana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,354 in Santa Ana vs $79,641 in Irving — a 10.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Santa Ana, CA from Irving, TX?
The driving distance is 1420 mi and the route typically takes 24h 29m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Irving and Santa Ana?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.1°F in Santa Ana vs 66.6°F in Irving (0.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 1.6 in. Annual precipitation: 12.5 in vs 37.0 in.
Is Santa Ana more expensive than Irving?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Ana is 10.2% higher than Irving (113.566 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Irving to Santa Ana?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1420 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Irving.
City profiles: Irving, TX · Santa Ana, CA.