Moving from Frisco, TX to Santa Ana, CA
The drive from Frisco, TX to Santa Ana, CA runs 1441 mi β about 24h 54m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1441 mi Β· 24h 54m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Torrance, Downey |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Frisco | Santa Ana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 10.2% pricier overall in Santa Ana than Frisco on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Santa Ana typical home at $866,066 is 10.2% above Frisco at $656,758 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Frisco -5.1%, Santa Ana -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Frisco | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 12.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.8Β°F vs 66.1Β°F 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: RICHARDSON, TX US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Frisco | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,238 | 311,639 |
| Median household income | $146,158 | $88,354 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38.5% | 12.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 3.91 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 10.2% between Frisco and Santa Ana (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 Texas 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
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.
- 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 does the job market in Santa Ana compare to Frisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA vs $48,440 in the Frisco MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Santa Ana compared to Frisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $866,066 in Santa Ana vs $656,758 in Frisco β a 31.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Frisco vs Santa Ana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,354 in Santa Ana vs $146,158 in Frisco β a 39.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Santa Ana, CA from Frisco, TX?
The driving distance is 1441 mi and the route typically takes 24h 54m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Santa Ana more expensive than Frisco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Ana is 10.2% higher than Frisco (113.566 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Frisco 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 1441 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 Frisco.
City profiles: Frisco, TX Β· Santa Ana, CA.