Moving from Temecula, CA to Santa Clarita, CA
Moving from Temecula, CA to Santa Clarita, CA covers 117 mi and about 2h 21m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
117 mi Β· 2h 21m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 210, I 15, CA 71 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Palmdale, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Temecula | Santa Clarita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Santa Clarita is 6.7% higher than Temecula, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Temecula and Santa Clarita are within 5% of each other ($766,379 vs $802,016 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Temecula -1.7%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Temecula | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.3" | 16.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Temecula (65.1Β°F) and Santa Clarita (65.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Santa Clarita 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: FALLBROOK 5 NE, CA US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Temecula | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,404 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $117,840 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.7% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.12 | 3.04 |
Median household incomes in Temecula ($117,840) and Santa Clarita ($119,926) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Santa Clarita compare to Temecula?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita MSA vs $47,450 in the Temecula MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than Temecula?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita is 6.7% higher than Temecula (113.566 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Temecula vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $117,840 in Temecula β a 1.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Santa Clarita, CA from Temecula, CA?
The driving distance is 117 mi and the route typically takes 2h 21m via I 210 and I 15. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clarita compared to Temecula?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $766,379 in Temecula β a 4.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Temecula to Santa Clarita?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 117 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 Temecula.
City profiles: Temecula, CA Β· Santa Clarita, CA.