Moving from Minneapolis, MN to Santa Clarita, CA
Cross-country relocations like Minneapolis, MN β Santa Clarita, CA cover 1887 mi and about 33h 33m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1887 mi Β· 33h 33m by car Β· MN β SD β WY β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β SD β WY β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, I 90, WY 789 |
| Major cities en route | St Paul, Sioux Falls, Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Minneapolis | Santa Clarita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 104.822 in Minneapolis to 113.566 in Santa Clarita, a 8.3% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Santa Clarita: 8.3% above Minneapolis on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Minneapolis +1.4%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Minneapolis | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 46Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 8Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.4" | 16.8" |
Major climate step-up: 19.7Β°F warmer annual average in Santa Clarita vs Minneapolis.
Effectively snow-free year in Santa Clarita β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS, MN US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Minneapolis | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $80,269 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 33 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.7% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 3.04 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 8.3% between Minneapolis and Santa Clarita (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.
Moving between Minnesota 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
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (19.7Β°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 Minneapolis, MN?
The driving distance is 1887 mi and the route typically takes 33h 33m via I 15 and I 90. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than Minneapolis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita is 8.3% higher than Minneapolis (113.566 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Minneapolis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita MSA vs $54,850 in the Minneapolis MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Minneapolis vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $80,269 in Minneapolis β a 49.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Minneapolis 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 1887 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 Minneapolis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $330,882 in Minneapolis β a 142.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Minneapolis.
City profiles: Minneapolis, MN Β· Santa Clarita, CA.