Moving from Santa Clarita, CA to Lancaster, CA
It is a short 41 mi hop from Santa Clarita, CA to Lancaster, CA β roughly 53 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
41 mi Β· 53 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 14, N5 |
| Major cities en route | Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clarita | Lancaster | 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 |
Santa Clarita and Lancaster sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $802,016 in Santa Clarita to $465,847 in Lancaster, a 0.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Santa Clarita -2.2%, Lancaster -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clarita | Lancaster |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.8" | 6.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.5Β°F vs 62.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWHALL 5NW, CA US, LANCASTER WM J FOX FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clarita | Lancaster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 170,013 |
| Median household income | $119,926 | $76,083 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 12.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 3.26 |
Lancaster households earn about 0.0% less than Santa Clarita at the median β $119,926 β $76,083 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lancaster 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Lancaster average 98Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Lancaster sees only 6.8 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
How does the job market in Lancaster compare to Santa Clarita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Lancaster 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 Lancaster?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,083 in Lancaster vs $119,926 in Santa Clarita β a 36.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lancaster compared to Santa Clarita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $465,847 in Lancaster vs $802,016 in Santa Clarita β a 41.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Lancaster, CA from Santa Clarita, CA?
The driving distance is 41 mi and the route typically takes 53 min via CA 14 and N5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clarita to Lancaster?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 41 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Clarita.
City profiles: Santa Clarita, CA Β· Lancaster, CA.