Moving from Santa Clarita, CA to Irvine, CA
Relocating between Santa Clarita, CA and Irvine, CA is a 74 mi drive — 1h 32m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
74 mi · 1h 32m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 14 TRUCK, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, Corona, Costa Mesa, Jurupa Valley, Santa Ana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clarita | Irvine | 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 — ZHVI goes from $802,016 to $1,557,982 moving to Irvine.
YoY change: Santa Clarita -2.2%, Irvine -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Clarita | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 85°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.8" | 14.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Santa Clarita (65.5°F) and Irvine (64.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Irvine 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, TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clarita | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 308,160 |
| Median household income | $119,926 | $129,647 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 39.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.75 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.0% higher in Irvine than Santa Clarita.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irvine 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: Irvine sees only 14.1 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 does household income compare in Santa Clarita vs Irvine?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,647 in Irvine vs $119,926 in Santa Clarita — a 8.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clarita to Irvine?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 74 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Irvine compared to Santa Clarita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,557,982 in Irvine vs $802,016 in Santa Clarita — a 94.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Irvine, CA from Santa Clarita, CA?
The driving distance is 74 mi and the route typically takes 1h 32m via I 5 and CA 14 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Irvine compare to Santa Clarita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Irvine 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.
What is the climate difference between Santa Clarita and Irvine?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.9°F in Irvine vs 65.5°F in Santa Clarita (0.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 14.1 in vs 16.8 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Clarita.
City profiles: Santa Clarita, CA · Irvine, CA.