Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Glendale, AZ
Relocating between Santa Ana, CA and Glendale, AZ is a 357 mi drive — 6h 34m 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.
357 mi · 6h 34m by car · CA → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, CA 91, CA 60 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Torrance, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | Glendale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Expect about 9.0% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Glendale at 103.316 vs Santa Ana at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.0% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $866,066 to $407,332 moving to Glendale.
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Glendale -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Ana | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 8.3" |
Expect 5.8°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Glendale 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: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, YOUNGTOWN, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 250,193 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $70,139 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 15.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 2.88 |
Expect median household income to fall 9.0% — $88,354 → $70,139 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Glendale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Glendale average 105°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Glendale sees only 8.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Glendale more expensive than Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Glendale is 9.0% lower than Santa Ana (103.316 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Glendale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 357 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Santa Ana and Glendale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.9°F in Glendale vs 66.1°F in Santa Ana (5.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.3 in vs 12.5 in.
How does the job market in Glendale compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Glendale MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 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 Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,139 in Glendale vs $88,354 in Santa Ana — a 20.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,332 in Glendale vs $866,066 in Santa Ana — a 53.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Glendale, AZ from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 357 mi and the route typically takes 6h 34m via I 10 and CA 91. The trip crosses 2 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 Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA · Glendale, AZ.