Moving from Moreno Valley, CA to Santa Clarita, CA
The 96 mi from Moreno Valley to Santa Clarita translate to about 2h behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
96 mi Β· 2h by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 210, CA 60, I 215 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Palmdale, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Moreno Valley | Santa Clarita | 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 |
Moderate COL step-up: 6.7% pricier overall in Santa Clarita than Moreno Valley on the 2024 BEA RPP.
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 6.7% above Moreno Valley at $551,284 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Moreno Valley -1.5%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Moreno Valley | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.7" | 16.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 63.3Β°F vs 65.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
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: MARCH AFB, CA US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Moreno Valley | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $87,477 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 32.1 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.1% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.84 | 3.04 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 6.7% between Moreno Valley 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.
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 does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Moreno Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita 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.
When is the best time to move from Moreno Valley 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 96 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 Moreno Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $551,284 in Moreno Valley β a 45.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Moreno Valley vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $87,477 in Moreno Valley β a 37.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Santa Clarita, CA from Moreno Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 96 mi and the route typically takes 2h via I 210 and CA 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than Moreno Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita 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.
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 Clarita, CA.