Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Clarita, CA
The 67 mi from Santa Ana to Santa Clarita translate to about 1h 23m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
67 mi · 1h 23m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 14 TRUCK, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Corona, Riverside |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | Santa Clarita | 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 |
Overall cost of living in Santa Clarita and Santa Ana is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Santa Clarita is 0.0% below Santa Ana ($802,016 vs $866,066 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Ana | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 16.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Santa Ana (66.1°F) and Santa Clarita (65.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Santa Clarita 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, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 3.04 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 0.0% between Santa Ana and Santa Clarita (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clarita 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Santa Clarita average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 much do homes cost in Santa Clarita compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $866,066 in Santa Ana — a 7.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Santa Clarita, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 67 mi and the route typically takes 1h 23m via I 5 and CA 14 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Santa Clarita?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 67 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $88,354 in Santa Ana — a 35.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita 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.
What is the climate difference between Santa Ana and Santa Clarita?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.5°F in Santa Clarita vs 66.1°F in Santa Ana (0.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.8 in vs 12.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA · Santa Clarita, CA.