Moving from Oxnard, CA to Santa Ana, CA
Moving from Oxnard, CA to Santa Ana, CA covers 99 mi and about 2h 3m 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.
99 mi Β· 2h 3m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 134, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Corona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oxnard | Santa Ana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Santa Ana and Oxnard are close on the overall BEA RPP (110.534 vs 113.566); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 2.7% higher in Santa Ana than Oxnard as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Oxnard -0.4%, Santa Ana -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Oxnard | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.9" | 12.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 61.2Β°F vs 66.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Santa Ana sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OXNARD VENTURA CO AP, CA US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oxnard | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,014 | 311,639 |
| Median household income | $93,372 | $88,354 |
| Median age | 34 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.4% | 12.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.88 | 3.91 |
Median household income in Santa Ana is 2.7% below Oxnard ($93,372 β $88,354, ACS 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
How does household income compare in Oxnard vs Santa Ana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,354 in Santa Ana vs $93,372 in Oxnard β a 5.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Santa Ana, CA from Oxnard, CA?
The driving distance is 99 mi and the route typically takes 2h 3m via CA 134 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Santa Ana more expensive than Oxnard?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Ana is 2.7% higher than Oxnard (113.566 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Santa Ana compared to Oxnard?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $866,066 in Santa Ana vs $767,291 in Oxnard β a 12.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Oxnard 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 99 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Santa Ana compare to Oxnard?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA vs $48,380 in the Oxnard MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 315,720 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 Oxnard.
City profiles: Oxnard, CA Β· Santa Ana, CA.