Moving from Kent, WA to Santa Clarita, CA
A move from Kent, WA to Santa Clarita, CA covers 1094 mi and around 20h 45m of driving through 3 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1094 mi Β· 20h 45m by car Β· CA β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, WA 167, WA 18 |
| 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
| Kent | Santa Clarita | 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 |
Santa Clarita and Kent are close on the overall BEA RPP (111.133 vs 113.566); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Santa Clarita typical home at $802,016 is 2.2% above Kent at $656,314 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 16.8" |
Santa Clarita runs 11.7Β°F warmer on the annual average (53.8Β°F vs 65.5Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Santa Clarita sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 3.04 |
Median household income in Santa Clarita is 2.2% above Kent ($90,416 vs $119,926, 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 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
- 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 (11.7Β°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 far is Santa Clarita, CA from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 1094 mi and the route typically takes 20h 45m via I 5 and WA 167. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita 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.
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita is 2.2% higher than Kent (113.566 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Kent 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 1094 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 Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $656,314 in Kent β a 22.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Kent vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $90,416 in Kent β a 32.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· Santa Clarita, CA.