Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Sacramento, CA
The 424 mi from Costa Mesa to Sacramento translate to about 7h 53m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
424 mi Β· 7h 53m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 405 |
| Major cities en route | Roseville, Elk Grove, Antioch, Stockton, Modesto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Sacramento | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
Sacramento is 6.1% cheaper than Costa Mesa overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Sacramento is 6.1% below Costa Mesa β $1,413,322 vs $479,766 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Sacramento -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 19.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Costa Mesa (64.9Β°F) and Sacramento (63.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Sacramento gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 524,802 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $83,753 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.63 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 6.1% between Costa Mesa and Sacramento (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sacramento MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
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 Sacramento average 94Β°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 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
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Sacramento?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 424 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Sacramento compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $479,766 in Sacramento vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 66.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Sacramento compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Sacramento?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,753 in Sacramento vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 23.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Sacramento more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sacramento is 6.1% lower than Costa Mesa (106.67 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Sacramento, CA from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 424 mi and the route typically takes 7h 53m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
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· Sacramento, CA.