Moving from Moreno Valley, CA to Santa Ana, CA
Moving from Moreno Valley, CA to Santa Ana, CA covers 54 mi and about 1h 9m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
54 mi Β· 1h 9m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 91, CA 60, CA 55 |
| Major cities en route | Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Garden Grove, Torrance |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Moreno Valley | Santa Ana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 106.442 in Moreno Valley to 113.566 in Santa Ana, a 6.7% 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 Ana: 6.7% above Moreno Valley on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Moreno Valley -1.5%, Santa Ana -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Moreno Valley | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.7" | 12.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Santa Ana β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MARCH AFB, CA US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Moreno Valley | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 311,639 |
| Median household income | $87,477 | $88,354 |
| Median age | 32.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.1% | 12.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.84 | 3.91 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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.
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
- 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 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 much do homes cost in Santa Ana compared to Moreno Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $866,066 in Santa Ana vs $551,284 in Moreno Valley β a 57.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Santa Ana more expensive than Moreno Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Ana is 6.7% higher than Moreno Valley (113.566 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Santa Ana compare to Moreno Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA vs $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Moreno Valley vs Santa Ana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,354 in Santa Ana vs $87,477 in Moreno Valley β a 1.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Santa Ana, CA from Moreno Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 54 mi and the route typically takes 1h 9m via CA 91 and CA 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Moreno Valley to Santa Ana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 54 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Moreno Valley.
City profiles: Moreno Valley, CA Β· Santa Ana, CA.