Moving from Anaheim, CA to Irvine, CA
Moving from Anaheim, CA to Irvine, CA is a 21 mi drive, about 30 min by car. This is a local relocation — same-day moves are typical — but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
21 mi · 30 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 241 TOLL, CA 133 TOLL, CA 91 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Fullerton, Downey, West Covina, El Monte |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Anaheim | Irvine | 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 |
Irvine and Anaheim are close on the overall BEA RPP (113.566 vs 113.566); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Irvine typical home at $1,557,982 is 0.0% above Anaheim at $950,504 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Anaheim +0.2%, Irvine -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Anaheim | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 85°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 14.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 67.7°F vs 64.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Irvine sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ANAHEIM, CA US, TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Anaheim | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | 308,160 |
| Median household income | $90,583 | $129,647 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.5% | 39.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 2.75 |
Median household income in Irvine is 0.0% above Anaheim ($90,583 vs $129,647, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irvine 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: Irvine sees only 14.1 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 Anaheim to Irvine?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 21 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Irvine, CA from Anaheim, CA?
The driving distance is 21 mi and the route typically takes 30 min via CA 241 TOLL and CA 133 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Irvine compared to Anaheim?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,557,982 in Irvine vs $950,504 in Anaheim — a 63.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Anaheim vs Irvine?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,647 in Irvine vs $90,583 in Anaheim — a 43.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Anaheim and Irvine?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.9°F in Irvine vs 67.7°F in Anaheim (2.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.1 in vs 13.5 in.
How does the job market in Irvine compare to Anaheim?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Irvine MSA vs $50,490 in the Anaheim 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Anaheim.
City profiles: Anaheim, CA · Irvine, CA.