Moving from Lancaster, CA to Santa Clarita, CA
It is a short 41 mi hop from Lancaster, CA to Santa Clarita, CA β roughly 53 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
41 mi Β· 53 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 14, N5 |
| Major cities en route | Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lancaster | Santa Clarita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 113.566 vs 113.566 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.0% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $465,847 to $802,016 moving to Santa Clarita.
YoY change: Lancaster -2.1%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lancaster | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.8" | 16.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Lancaster (62.1Β°F) and Santa Clarita (65.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Santa Clarita gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LANCASTER WM J FOX FLD, CA US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lancaster | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $76,083 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.7% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 3.04 |
Santa Clarita households earn about 0.0% more than Lancaster at the median β $76,083 β $119,926 on ACS 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.
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.
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.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Santa Clarita, CA from Lancaster, CA?
The driving distance is 41 mi and the route typically takes 53 min via CA 14 and N5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Lancaster?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita MSA vs $50,490 in the Lancaster MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clarita compared to Lancaster?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $465,847 in Lancaster β a 72.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lancaster 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 41 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Lancaster vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $76,083 in Lancaster β a 57.6% 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 Lancaster.
City profiles: Lancaster, CA Β· Santa Clarita, CA.