Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Fullerton, CA
Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Fullerton, CA covers 371 mi and about 7h 5m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
371 mi Β· 7h 5m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 152, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | Fullerton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Santa Clara (110.423) and Fullerton (113.566) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Fullerton: 2.8% below Santa Clara on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Fullerton -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Fullerton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 11.9" |
Fullerton runs 5.5Β°F warmer on the annual average (60.7Β°F vs 66.2Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, FULLERTON MUNI AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Fullerton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 141,278 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $104,219 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 36.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 27.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.98 |
Median household income in Fullerton is 2.8% below Santa Clara ($173,670 vs $104,219, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fullerton 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 20β30% 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
- Dry climate: Fullerton sees only 11.9 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 β 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
Is Fullerton more expensive than Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fullerton is 2.8% higher than Santa Clara (113.566 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara to Fullerton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 371 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fullerton, CA from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 371 mi and the route typically takes 7h 5m via I 5 and CA 152. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fullerton compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Fullerton MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Santa Clara vs Fullerton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,219 in Fullerton vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 40.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fullerton compared to Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,050,945 in Fullerton vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 41.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA Β· Fullerton, CA.