Moving from San Diego, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Relocating between San Diego, CA and Los Angeles, CA is a 124 mi drive β 2h 29m 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.
124 mi Β· 2h 29m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 405, CA 73 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Glendale, Pasadena, Simi Valley, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Diego | Los Angeles | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.887 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 174.247 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.963 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 179.267 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
San Diego and Los Angeles sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Los Angeles ($952,183) sits close to San Diego ($1,001,265) β no material housing gap.
YoY change: San Diego -3.2%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Diego | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 48Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 14.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.1Β°F vs 63.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Los Angeles sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN DIEGO MONTGOMERY FLD, CA US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Diego | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $104,321 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 36 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 2.72 |
Expect median household income to fall 1.5% β $104,321 β $80,366 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles 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: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 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 San Diego vs Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $104,321 in San Diego β a 23.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Los Angeles compare to San Diego?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA vs $53,090 in the San Diego MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,522,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Los Angeles compared to San Diego?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $1,001,265 in San Diego β a 4.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Los Angeles more expensive than San Diego?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles is 1.5% higher than San Diego (113.566 vs 111.887, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from San Diego to Los Angeles?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 124 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Los Angeles, CA from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance is 124 mi and the route typically takes 2h 29m via I 5 and I 405. 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 San Diego.
City profiles: San Diego, CA Β· Los Angeles, CA.