Moving from Santa Clarita, CA to Santa Clara, CA
It is a 317 mi drive, roughly 6h, between Santa Clarita, CA and Santa Clara, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
317 mi Β· 6h by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 152, US 101 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Lancaster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clarita | Santa Clara | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
2.8% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Santa Clarita -2.2%, Santa Clara -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clarita | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.8" | 13.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWHALL 5NW, CA US, SAN JOSE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clarita | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 129,239 |
| Median household income | $119,926 | $173,670 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.66 |
Santa Clara households earn about 2.8% more than Santa Clarita at the median β $119,926 β $173,670 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clara MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
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: Santa Clara 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 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 far is Santa Clara, CA from Santa Clarita, CA?
The driving distance is 317 mi and the route typically takes 6h via I 5 and CA 152. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Santa Clara more expensive than Santa Clarita?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clara is 2.8% lower than Santa Clarita (110.423 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Santa Clara compare to Santa Clarita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Clarita MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 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 Santa Clara?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $173,670 in Santa Clara vs $119,926 in Santa Clarita β a 44.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clarita to Santa Clara?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 317 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 Santa Clara compared to Santa Clarita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,782,192 in Santa Clara vs $802,016 in Santa Clarita β a 122.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
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· Santa Clara, CA.