Moving from Fullerton, CA to Santa Clarita, CA
It is a 60 mi drive, roughly 1h 17m, between Fullerton, CA and Santa Clarita, 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.
60 mi Β· 1h 17m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5 TRUCK, I 5, CA 14 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Palmdale, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fullerton | Santa Clarita | 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 |
Fullerton and Santa Clarita 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 drops from $1,050,945 in Fullerton to $802,016 in Santa Clarita, a 0.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fullerton -0.4%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fullerton | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.9" | 16.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.2Β°F vs 65.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Santa Clarita sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FULLERTON MUNI AP, CA US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fullerton | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $104,219 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.4% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 3.04 |
Households in Santa Clarita earn about 0.0% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita 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
How does household income compare in Fullerton vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $104,219 in Fullerton β a 15.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fullerton to Santa Clarita?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 60 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 Santa Clarita compared to Fullerton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $1,050,945 in Fullerton β a 23.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Fullerton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita MSA vs $50,490 in the Fullerton 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 Santa Clarita, CA from Fullerton, CA?
The driving distance is 60 mi and the route typically takes 1h 17m via I 5 TRUCK and I 5. 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 Fullerton.
City profiles: Fullerton, CA Β· Santa Clarita, CA.