Moving from Murrieta, CA to Santa Ana, CA
It is a 61 mi drive, roughly 1h 15m, between Murrieta, CA and Santa Ana, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
61 mi Β· 1h 15m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, CA 91, 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
| Murrieta | 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 |
Expect roughly 6.7% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.7% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $688,358 to $866,066 moving to Santa Ana.
YoY change: Murrieta -1.5%, Santa Ana -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Murrieta | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.3" | 12.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Murrieta (65.1Β°F) and Santa Ana (66.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Santa Ana 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: FALLBROOK 5 NE, CA US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Murrieta | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,621 | 311,639 |
| Median household income | $109,780 | $88,354 |
| Median age | 36 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 12.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.15 | 3.91 |
Households in Santa Ana earn about 6.7% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
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
Is Santa Ana more expensive than Murrieta?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Ana is 6.7% higher than Murrieta (113.566 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Santa Ana compared to Murrieta?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $866,066 in Santa Ana vs $688,358 in Murrieta β a 25.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Santa Ana, CA from Murrieta, CA?
The driving distance is 61 mi and the route typically takes 1h 15m via I 15 and CA 91. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Santa Ana compare to Murrieta?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA vs $47,450 in the Murrieta 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 Murrieta 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 61 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 Murrieta vs Santa Ana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,354 in Santa Ana vs $109,780 in Murrieta β a 19.5% lower 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 Murrieta.
City profiles: Murrieta, CA Β· Santa Ana, CA.