Moving from Kent, WA to Anaheim, CA
It is 1158 mi between Kent and Anaheim β roughly 22h 1m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
1158 mi Β· 22h 1m by car Β· CA β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, CA 91 |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, Irvine, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kent | Anaheim | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Kent and Anaheim sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $656,314 in Kent to $950,504 in Anaheim, a 2.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Anaheim +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 13.5" |
Annual temperature rises 13.9Β°F moving to Anaheim per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Anaheim sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, ANAHEIM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 344,553 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $90,583 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 19.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 3.26 |
Household income lines up β $90,416 vs $90,583 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Anaheim 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 Washington 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.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Anaheim sees only 13.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.9Β°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 Anaheim compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Anaheim MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Kent to Anaheim?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1158 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 Anaheim compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $950,504 in Anaheim vs $656,314 in Kent β a 44.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Anaheim more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Anaheim is 2.2% higher than Kent (113.566 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Kent vs Anaheim?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,583 in Anaheim vs $90,416 in Kent β a 0.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Anaheim, CA from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 1158 mi and the route typically takes 22h 1m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 3 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 Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· Anaheim, CA.