Moving from Santa Clarita, CA to Anaheim, CA
It is a 69 mi drive, roughly 1h 28m, between Santa Clarita, CA and Anaheim, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
69 mi · 1h 28m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 91, CA 14 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Corona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clarita | Anaheim | 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 price level is comparable — 113.566 vs 113.566 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.0% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Clarita -2.2%, Anaheim +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Clarita | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.8" | 13.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Santa Clarita (65.5°F) and Anaheim (67.7°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Anaheim 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: NEWHALL 5NW, CA US, ANAHEIM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clarita | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 344,553 |
| Median household income | $119,926 | $90,583 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 19.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 3.26 |
Anaheim households earn about 0.0% less than Santa Clarita at the median — $119,926 → $90,583 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Anaheim 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
- Dry climate: Anaheim sees only 13.5 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
When is the best time to move from Santa Clarita to Anaheim?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 69 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Santa Clarita and Anaheim?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 67.7°F in Anaheim vs 65.5°F in Santa Clarita (2.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 13.5 in vs 16.8 in.
How much do homes cost in Anaheim compared to Santa Clarita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $950,504 in Anaheim vs $802,016 in Santa Clarita — a 18.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Anaheim, CA from Santa Clarita, CA?
The driving distance is 69 mi and the route typically takes 1h 28m via I 5 and CA 91. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Anaheim compare to Santa Clarita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Anaheim MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Clarita 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 Clarita vs Anaheim?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,583 in Anaheim vs $119,926 in Santa Clarita — a 24.5% lower 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 Clarita.
City profiles: Santa Clarita, CA · Anaheim, CA.