Moving from Murrieta, CA to Santa Clarita, CA
Relocating between Murrieta, CA and Santa Clarita, CA is a 112 mi drive β 2h 16m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
112 mi Β· 2h 16m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 210, I 15, CA 71 |
| 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
| Murrieta | 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 |
Overall prices come in 6.7% above Murrieta β 106.442 β 113.566 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 6.7% above Murrieta β $688,358 β $802,016 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Murrieta -1.5%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Murrieta | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.3" | 16.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Santa Clarita β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FALLBROOK 5 NE, CA US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Murrieta | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,621 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $109,780 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 36 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.15 | 3.04 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 6.7% higher in Santa Clarita than Murrieta.
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 much do homes cost in Santa Clarita compared to Murrieta?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $688,358 in Murrieta β a 16.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Murrieta 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 112 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Santa Clarita, CA from Murrieta, CA?
The driving distance is 112 mi and the route typically takes 2h 16m via I 210 and I 15. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than Murrieta?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita 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 does household income compare in Murrieta vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $109,780 in Murrieta β a 9.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Murrieta?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Murrieta.
City profiles: Murrieta, CA Β· Santa Clarita, CA.