Moving from Tacoma, WA to Santa Ana, CA
It is 1138 mi between Tacoma and Santa Ana β roughly 21h 31m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1138 mi Β· 21h 31m by car Β· CA β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, WA 16 |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Ontario |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Santa Ana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 111.133 vs 113.566 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.2% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $493,840 to $866,066 moving to Santa Ana.
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Santa Ana -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 12.5" |
Annual temperature rises 12.4Β°F moving to Santa Ana per NOAA normals.
Santa Ana gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 311,639 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $88,354 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 12.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 3.91 |
Households in Santa Ana earn about 2.2% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
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 Washington 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.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.4Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 1138 mi and the route typically takes 21h 31m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Santa Ana more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Ana is 2.2% higher than Tacoma (113.566 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Santa Ana compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $866,066 in Santa Ana vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 75.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma 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 1138 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Santa Ana compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Santa Ana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,354 in Santa Ana vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 5.4% higher 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 Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Santa Ana, CA.