Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Peoria, AZ
Relocating between Santa Ana, CA and Peoria, AZ is a 366 mi drive — 6h 41m 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.
366 mi · 6h 41m by car · CA → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, CA 91, AZ 303 LOOP |
| 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 | Peoria | 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 Peoria 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 $488,596 moving to Peoria.
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Peoria -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Ana | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 9.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Santa Ana (66.1°F) and Peoria (70.2°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Peoria 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, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 194,338 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $93,403 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 42.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 2.66 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 9.0% higher in Peoria than Santa Ana.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Peoria 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 Peoria 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: Peoria sees only 9.6 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
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 366 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $488,596 in Peoria vs $866,066 in Santa Ana — a 43.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Peoria, AZ from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 366 mi and the route typically takes 6h 41m via I 10 and CA 91. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Santa Ana and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Peoria vs 66.1°F in Santa Ana (4.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 12.5 in.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Peoria 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.
Is Peoria more expensive than Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria 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.
How does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,403 in Peoria vs $88,354 in Santa Ana — a 5.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA · Peoria, AZ.