Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Hollywood, FL
Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Hollywood, FL is a 2983 mi cross-country relocation β about 53h 35m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2983 mi Β· 53h 35m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Miami, Hialeah, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Miami Gardens |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | Hollywood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Hollywood and Santa Clara are close on the overall BEA RPP (110.423 vs 114.155); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Hollywood typical home at $439,400 is 3.4% under Santa Clara at $1,782,192 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Hollywood -5.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Hollywood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 65.0" |
NOAA normals show Hollywood running 15.4Β°F above Santa Clara on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, HOLLYWOOD, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Hollywood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 152,935 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $65,359 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 41 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 19.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.53 |
Median household income in Hollywood is 3.4% below Santa Clara ($173,670 vs $65,359, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hollywood MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median 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
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 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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
- Pack rain gear on top: Hollywood averages 65.0 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.4Β°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
Is Hollywood more expensive than Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hollywood is 3.4% higher than Santa Clara (114.155 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Santa Clara vs Hollywood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,359 in Hollywood vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 62.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Hollywood compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Hollywood MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Hollywood, FL from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 2983 mi and the route typically takes 53h 35m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara to Hollywood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2983 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Hollywood compared to Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $439,400 in Hollywood vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 75.3% 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· Hollywood, FL.