Moving from Santa Rosa, CA to Peoria, AZ
A move from Santa Rosa, CA to Peoria, AZ covers 804 mi and around 14h 46m of driving through 2 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
804 mi · 14h 46m by car · AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Scottsdale, Phoenix, Surprise, Glendale, Goodyear |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Rosa | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 107.784 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.777 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 139.569 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Santa Rosa (107.784) and Peoria (103.316) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Peoria: 4.1% below Santa Rosa on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Rosa -2.2%, Peoria -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Rosa | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 31.5" | 9.6" |
Peoria runs 11.2°F warmer on the annual average (59.0°F vs 70.2°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Peoria — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ROSA, CA US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Rosa | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,216 | 194,338 |
| Median household income | $97,410 | $93,403 |
| Median age | 40.5 | 42.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.66 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Peoria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Peoria average 105°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Peoria sees only 9.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.2°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Santa Rosa and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Peoria vs 59.0°F in Santa Rosa (11.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 31.5 in.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Santa Rosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Peoria MSA vs $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 206,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Peoria, AZ from Santa Rosa, CA?
The driving distance is 804 mi and the route typically takes 14h 46m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Santa Rosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $488,596 in Peoria vs $718,726 in Santa Rosa — a 32.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Santa Rosa to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 804 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Santa Rosa vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,403 in Peoria vs $97,410 in Santa Rosa — a 4.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Peoria more expensive than Santa Rosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 4.1% lower than Santa Rosa (103.316 vs 107.784, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Rosa.
City profiles: Santa Rosa, CA · Peoria, AZ.