Moving from Scottsdale, AZ to Santa Ana, CA
Relocating between Scottsdale, AZ and Santa Ana, CA is a 386 mi drive β 7h 8m 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.
386 mi Β· 7h 8m by car Β· CA β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, AZ 101 LOOP, CA 91 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Torrance, Costa Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Scottsdale | Santa Ana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 9.9% above Scottsdale β 103.316 β 113.566 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Scottsdale to Santa Ana β $858,022 vs $866,066 (2026-03).
YoY change: Scottsdale +1.7%, Santa Ana -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Scottsdale | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 99Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 12.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Santa Ana β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PINNACLE PEAK, AZ US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Scottsdale | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | 311,639 |
| Median household income | $107,372 | $88,354 |
| Median age | 49.2 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.1% | 12.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.06 | 3.91 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 9.9% lower in Santa Ana than Scottsdale.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Ana 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.
Moving between Arizona and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Santa Ana sees only 12.5 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Santa Ana, CA from Scottsdale, AZ?
The driving distance is 386 mi and the route typically takes 7h 8m via I 10 and AZ 101 LOOP. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Santa Ana compared to Scottsdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $866,066 in Santa Ana vs $858,022 in Scottsdale β a 0.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Santa Ana compare to Scottsdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA vs $48,600 in the Scottsdale MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Scottsdale to Santa Ana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 386 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Santa Ana more expensive than Scottsdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Ana is 9.9% higher than Scottsdale (113.566 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Scottsdale vs Santa Ana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,354 in Santa Ana vs $107,372 in Scottsdale β a 17.7% 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 Scottsdale.
City profiles: Scottsdale, AZ Β· Santa Ana, CA.