Moving from West Covina, CA to Santa Ana, CA
The drive from West Covina to Santa Ana covers 27 mi in about 42 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
27 mi · 42 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 57, N8, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Long Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Covina | Santa Ana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for West Covina (113.566) and Santa Ana (113.566) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up — $852,373 vs $866,066 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: West Covina +0.7%, Santa Ana -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | West Covina | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 12.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Santa Ana — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Covina | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,436 | 311,639 |
| Median household income | $98,570 | $88,354 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 12.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.3 | 3.91 |
Income steps down 0.0%: $98,570 in West Covina vs $88,354 in Santa Ana.
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.
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.
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 — 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
When is the best time to move from West Covina to Santa Ana?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 27 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Santa Ana compare to West Covina?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA vs $50,490 in the West Covina MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in West Covina vs Santa Ana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,354 in Santa Ana vs $98,570 in West Covina — a 10.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Santa Ana, CA from West Covina, CA?
The driving distance is 27 mi and the route typically takes 42 min via CA 57 and N8. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Santa Ana compared to West Covina?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $866,066 in Santa Ana vs $852,373 in West Covina — a 1.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between West Covina and Santa Ana?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.1°F in Santa Ana vs 65.1°F in West Covina (1.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 12.5 in vs 14.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Covina.
City profiles: West Covina, CA · Santa Ana, CA.