Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Lancaster, CA
Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Lancaster, CA covers 109 mi and about 2h 9m 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.
109 mi Β· 2h 9m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 14, CA 138, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Palmdale, Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Lancaster | 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 |
Lancaster and Costa Mesa 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 Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Lancaster typical home at $465,847 is 0.0% under Costa Mesa at $1,413,322 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Lancaster -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Lancaster |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 6.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.9Β°F vs 62.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, LANCASTER WM J FOX FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Lancaster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 170,013 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $76,083 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 12.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.26 |
Median household income in Lancaster is 0.0% below Costa Mesa ($110,073 vs $76,083, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lancaster 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 Lancaster average 98Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Lancaster sees only 6.8 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 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 much do homes cost in Lancaster compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $465,847 in Lancaster vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 67.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Lancaster?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,083 in Lancaster vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 30.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Lancaster compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Lancaster MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa 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 far is Lancaster, CA from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 109 mi and the route typically takes 2h 9m via CA 14 and CA 138. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Lancaster?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 109 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 Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Lancaster, CA.