Moving from Elk Grove, CA to Santa Clara, CA
It is a 108 mi drive, roughly 2h 14m, between Elk Grove, CA and Santa Clara, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
108 mi Β· 2h 14m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, CA 4, I 205 |
| Major cities en route | Sacramento, Roseville, Stockton, Modesto, Antioch |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elk Grove | Santa Clara | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
Elk Grove and Santa Clara sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $637,450 in Elk Grove to $1,782,192 in Santa Clara, a 3.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Elk Grove -3.5%, Santa Clara -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elk Grove | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 18.1" | 13.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 61.8Β°F vs 60.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US, SAN JOSE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elk Grove | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 129,239 |
| Median household income | $122,229 | $173,670 |
| Median age | 39 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.24 | 2.66 |
Santa Clara households earn about 3.5% more than Elk Grove at the median β $122,229 β $173,670 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clara MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
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
- Dry climate: Santa Clara sees only 13.5 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 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 far is Santa Clara, CA from Elk Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 108 mi and the route typically takes 2h 14m via CA 99 and CA 4. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Santa Clara compare to Elk Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA vs $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Santa Clara more expensive than Elk Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clara is 3.5% higher than Elk Grove (110.423 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Elk Grove vs Santa Clara?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $173,670 in Santa Clara vs $122,229 in Elk Grove β a 42.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clara compared to Elk Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,782,192 in Santa Clara vs $637,450 in Elk Grove β a 179.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Elk Grove to Santa Clara?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 108 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 Elk Grove.
City profiles: Elk Grove, CA Β· Santa Clara, CA.