Moving from Tempe, AZ to Santa Clarita, CA
Moving from Tempe, AZ to Santa Clarita, CA covers 415 mi and about 7h 34m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
415 mi · 7h 34m by car · CA → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 210, I 10 EXPR |
| 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
| Tempe | Santa Clarita | 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 |
BEA RPP moves from 103.316 in Tempe to 113.566 in Santa Clarita, a 9.9% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Santa Clarita: 9.9% above Tempe on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Tempe -1.7%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tempe | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 72°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 106°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 16.8" |
Santa Clarita is 6.3°F cooler on the annual average (71.8°F vs 65.5°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Santa Clarita — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TEMPE ASU, AZ US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tempe | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $77,643 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 29.9 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 3.04 |
Median household income in Santa Clarita is 9.9% above Tempe ($77,643 vs $119,926, ACS 5-year 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.
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 — 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
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Santa Clarita average 94°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 — 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 does household income compare in Tempe vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $77,643 in Tempe — a 54.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Tempe and Santa Clarita?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.5°F in Santa Clarita vs 71.8°F in Tempe (6.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.8 in vs 8.8 in.
How does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Tempe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita MSA vs $48,600 in the Tempe 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.
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than Tempe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita is 9.9% higher than Tempe (113.566 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Santa Clarita, CA from Tempe, AZ?
The driving distance is 415 mi and the route typically takes 7h 34m via I 10 and I 210. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clarita compared to Tempe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $468,281 in Tempe — a 71.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tempe to Santa Clarita?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 415 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Tempe.
City profiles: Tempe, AZ · Santa Clarita, CA.