Moving from Garden Grove, CA to Santa Ana, CA
It is a short 7.0 mi hop from Garden Grove, CA to Santa Ana, CA β roughly 14 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
7.0 mi Β· 14 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Ontario, Corona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garden Grove | Santa Ana | 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 |
Garden Grove and Santa Ana 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
Homes in Santa Ana run about 0.0% cheaper β ZHVI $1,013,183 β $866,066 (2026-03).
YoY change: Garden Grove +1.4%, Santa Ana -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Garden Grove | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 12.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.1Β°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: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garden Grove | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 311,639 |
| Median household income | $90,166 | $88,354 |
| Median age | 39.6 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 12.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.51 | 3.91 |
Household income lines up β $90,166 vs $88,354 on ACS 5-year 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.
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 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Santa Ana compared to Garden Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $866,066 in Santa Ana vs $1,013,183 in Garden Grove β a 14.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Santa Ana, CA from Garden Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 7.0 mi and the route typically takes 14 min via the primary interstate. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Garden Grove 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 7.0 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Garden Grove vs Santa Ana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,354 in Santa Ana vs $90,166 in Garden Grove β a 2.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Santa Ana compare to Garden Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA vs $50,490 in the Garden Grove 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Garden Grove.
City profiles: Garden Grove, CA Β· Santa Ana, CA.