Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Pembroke Pines, FL

A 2712 mi cross-country move between Santa Ana and Pembroke Pines is 47h 41m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line β€” rent, taxes, climate, commute β€” usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.

2712 mi Β· 47h 41m by car Β· CA β†’ AZ β†’ NM β†’ TX β†’ LA β†’ MS β†’ AL β†’ FL

COL +0.5% Home values -43.7% Ξ” +11.2Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
2712 mi
Drive time
47h 41m
States
8
Fuel (25 mpg)
109 gal
Route throughCA β†’ AZ β†’ NM β†’ TX β†’ LA β†’ MS β†’ AL β†’ FL
Primary highwaysI 10, US 180, TX 130
Major cities en routeLong Beach, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Torrance

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

Santa AnaPembroke PinesU.S. avg
All items (RPP)113.566114.155100.0
Rents158.58997.235100.0
Goods106.623103.556100.0
Services170.433155.551100.0

Overall price level is comparable β€” 113.566 vs 114.155 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Santa Ana β€” typical home
$866,066
Pembroke Pines β€” typical home
$487,422
Santa Ana β€” typical rent
$2,830/mo
Pembroke Pines β€” typical rent
$2,627/mo

Expect roughly 0.5% lower home prices β€” ZHVI goes from $866,066 to $487,422 moving to Pembroke Pines.

YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Pembroke Pines -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsSanta AnaPembroke Pines
Annual avg temperature66Β°F77Β°F
January avg low49Β°F59Β°F
July avg high83Β°F92Β°F
Annual snowfall0.0"β€”
Annual precipitation12.5"62.0"

Annual temperature rises 11.2Β°F moving to Pembroke Pines per NOAA normals.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, HOLLYWOOD NORTH PERRY AP, FL US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023Santa AnaPembroke Pines
Population311,639170,557
Median household income$88,354$81,675
Median age34.343.7
Bachelor's degree or higher12.8%23.9%
Avg household size3.912.67

Households in Pembroke Pines earn about 0.5% less at the median β€” ACS 5-year 2023.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Santa Ana MSA β€” median wage
$50,490
Pembroke Pines MSA β€” median wage
$46,510
Santa Ana MSA β€” employment
6,185,570
Pembroke Pines MSA β€” employment
2,721,490

Top occupations in Pembroke Pines MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian wage
Office and Administrative Support Occupations 393,730 $41,640
Sales and Related Occupations 306,440 $37,640
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 261,940 $30,720
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 239,610 $37,610
Business and Financial Operations Occupations 194,910 $77,760

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Moving between California and Florida

California income tax
13.3% top marginal
Florida income tax
no state income tax

State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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 β€” 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.
  • Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.

State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.

Packing & arrival checklist

  • Air conditioning matters: July highs in Pembroke Pines average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
  • Pack rain gear on top: Pembroke Pines averages 62.0 in of annual precipitation β€” waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
  • You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
  • Hurricane season runs June through November β€” stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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.
  • Register to vote in Florida after establishing residency.

Frequently asked

How much do homes cost in Pembroke Pines compared to Santa Ana?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $487,422 in Pembroke Pines vs $866,066 in Santa Ana β€” a 43.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How far is Pembroke Pines, FL from Santa Ana, CA?

The driving distance is 2712 mi and the route typically takes 47h 41m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Pembroke Pines?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,675 in Pembroke Pines vs $88,354 in Santa Ana β€” a 7.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

Is Pembroke Pines more expensive than Santa Ana?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pembroke Pines is 0.5% higher than Santa Ana (114.155 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 Pembroke Pines?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2712 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 Pembroke Pines compare to Santa Ana?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Pembroke Pines MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 6,185,570 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 Santa Ana.

City profiles: Santa Ana, CA Β· Pembroke Pines, FL.

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