Moving from Glendale, CA to Santa Ana, CA
Moving from Glendale, CA to Santa Ana, CA is a 45 mi drive, about 60 min by car. This is a local relocation — same-day moves are typical — but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
45 mi · 60 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 2 |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Corona, Riverside |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Glendale | 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 |
Overall cost of living in Santa Ana and Glendale is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Santa Ana is 0.0% below Glendale — $1,201,880 vs $866,066 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Glendale -0.6%, Santa Ana -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Glendale | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.5" | 12.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Glendale (64.5°F) and Santa Ana (66.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Santa Ana gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Glendale | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 311,639 |
| Median household income | $84,262 | $88,354 |
| Median age | 41.4 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.7% | 12.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 3.91 |
Median household incomes in Glendale ($84,262) and Santa Ana ($88,354) are within a few percent (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.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 — 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
What is the climate difference between Glendale and Santa Ana?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.1°F in Santa Ana vs 64.5°F in Glendale (1.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 12.5 in vs 16.5 in.
How does the job market in Santa Ana compare to Glendale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA vs $50,490 in the Glendale 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 Ana, CA from Glendale, CA?
The driving distance is 45 mi and the route typically takes 60 min via I 5 and CA 2. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Glendale to Santa Ana?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 45 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Santa Ana compared to Glendale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $866,066 in Santa Ana vs $1,201,880 in Glendale — a 27.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Glendale vs Santa Ana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,354 in Santa Ana vs $84,262 in Glendale — a 4.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Glendale.
City profiles: Glendale, CA · Santa Ana, CA.