Moving from Huntington Beach, CA to Fullerton, CA
It is a short 18 mi hop from Huntington Beach, CA to Fullerton, CA β roughly 33 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.
18 mi Β· 33 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 39, CA 91 |
| Major cities en route | Costa Mesa, Irvine, Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Long Beach |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntington Beach | Fullerton | 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 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.0% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Huntington Beach +2.8%, Fullerton -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Huntington Beach | Fullerton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 11.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, FULLERTON MUNI AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntington Beach | Fullerton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 141,278 |
| Median household income | $119,885 | $104,219 |
| Median age | 43.4 | 36.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 27.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.98 |
Households in Fullerton earn about 0.0% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fullerton 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: Fullerton sees only 11.9 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 does household income compare in Huntington Beach vs Fullerton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,219 in Fullerton vs $119,885 in Huntington Beach β a 13.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fullerton compared to Huntington Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,050,945 in Fullerton vs $1,366,658 in Huntington Beach β a 23.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Huntington Beach to Fullerton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 18 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Fullerton compare to Huntington Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Fullerton MSA vs $50,490 in the Huntington Beach 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 Fullerton, CA from Huntington Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 18 mi and the route typically takes 33 min via CA 39 and CA 91. 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 Huntington Beach.
City profiles: Huntington Beach, CA Β· Fullerton, CA.