Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Anaheim, CA
Relocating from Santa Ana, CA to Anaheim, CA? The drive is 17 mi — about 27 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
17 mi · 27 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 91, CA 57 |
| Major cities en route | Corona, Riverside, Jurupa Valley, Fontana, Ontario |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | Anaheim | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Santa Ana and Anaheim sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Anaheim run about 0.0% pricier — ZHVI $866,066 → $950,504 (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Anaheim +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Ana | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 13.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.1°F vs 67.7°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Anaheim sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, ANAHEIM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 344,553 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $90,583 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 19.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 3.26 |
Household income lines up — $88,354 vs $90,583 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Anaheim 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: Anaheim sees only 13.5 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
How does the job market in Anaheim compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Anaheim MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Anaheim?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,583 in Anaheim vs $88,354 in Santa Ana — a 2.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Anaheim compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $950,504 in Anaheim vs $866,066 in Santa Ana — a 9.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Santa Ana and Anaheim?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 67.7°F in Anaheim vs 66.1°F in Santa Ana (1.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 13.5 in vs 12.5 in.
How far is Anaheim, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 17 mi and the route typically takes 27 min via CA 91 and CA 57. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Anaheim?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 17 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA · Anaheim, CA.