Moving from Santa Ana, CA to West Covina, CA
The drive from Santa Ana to West Covina covers 27 mi in about 42 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
27 mi · 42 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 57, N8, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Long Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | West Covina | 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 |
West Covina and Santa Ana are close on the overall BEA RPP (113.566 vs 113.566); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values are comparable between the two cities on the latest Zillow ZHVI.
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, West Covina +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Ana | West Covina |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 14.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.1°F vs 65.1°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: West Covina sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | West Covina |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 107,436 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $98,570 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 21.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 3.3 |
Income steps up 0.0%: $88,354 in Santa Ana vs $98,570 in West Covina.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in West Covina 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 West Covina average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: West Covina sees only 14.5 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 much do homes cost in West Covina compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $852,373 in West Covina vs $866,066 in Santa Ana — a 1.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is West Covina, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 27 mi and the route typically takes 42 min via CA 57 and N8. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to West Covina?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 27 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in West Covina compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the West Covina 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 West Covina?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,570 in West Covina vs $88,354 in Santa Ana — a 11.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Santa Ana and West Covina?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.1°F in West Covina vs 66.1°F in Santa Ana (1.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.5 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 · West Covina, CA.