Moving from Riverside, CA to Santa Ana, CA
It is a short 39 mi hop from Riverside, CA to Santa Ana, CA — roughly 50 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
39 mi · 50 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 91, CA 57 |
| Major cities en route | San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Menifee, Rialto, Fontana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Riverside | 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 — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.7% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $646,784 to $866,066 moving to Santa Ana.
YoY change: Riverside -1.4%, Santa Ana -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Riverside | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.0" | 12.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Riverside (66.9°F) and Santa Ana (66.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Santa Ana gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Riverside | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 311,639 |
| Median household income | $88,575 | $88,354 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 12.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.42 | 3.91 |
Median household incomes in Riverside ($88,575) and Santa Ana ($88,354) are within a few percent (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 20–30% 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 — 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
What is the climate difference between Riverside and Santa Ana?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.1°F in Santa Ana vs 66.9°F in Riverside (0.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 12.5 in vs 10.0 in.
When is the best time to move from Riverside to Santa Ana?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 39 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Riverside vs Santa Ana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,354 in Santa Ana vs $88,575 in Riverside — a 0.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Santa Ana compared to Riverside?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $866,066 in Santa Ana vs $646,784 in Riverside — a 33.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Santa Ana compare to Riverside?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA vs $47,450 in the Riverside 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.
Is Santa Ana more expensive than Riverside?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Ana is 6.7% higher than Riverside (113.566 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Santa Ana, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance is 39 mi and the route typically takes 50 min via CA 91 and CA 57. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Riverside.
City profiles: Riverside, CA · Santa Ana, CA.