Moving from Centennial, CO to Santa Ana, CA
It is 1027 mi between Centennial and Santa Ana β roughly 18h 5m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1027 mi Β· 18h 5m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Costa Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | Santa Ana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Santa Ana runs about 7.4% more expensive overall than Centennial β RPP 105.782 β 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $649,086 in Centennial to $866,066 in Santa Ana, a 7.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Santa Ana -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 12.5" |
Annual average temperature jumps 15.9Β°F β 50.2Β°F in Centennial vs 66.1Β°F in Santa Ana, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Santa Ana sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 311,639 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $88,354 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 12.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 3.91 |
Santa Ana households earn about 7.4% less than Centennial at the median β $128,167 β $88,354 on ACS 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 Colorado 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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
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 (15.9Β°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 much do homes cost in Santa Ana compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $866,066 in Santa Ana vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 33.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Santa Ana more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Ana is 7.4% higher than Centennial (113.566 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Centennial 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 1027 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 Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Santa Ana, CA from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 1027 mi and the route typically takes 18h 5m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Centennial vs Santa Ana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,354 in Santa Ana vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 31.1% lower 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 Centennial.
City profiles: Centennial, CO Β· Santa Ana, CA.