Moving from Huntington Beach, CA to Palmdale, CA
The 96 mi from Huntington Beach to Palmdale translate to about 1h 60m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
96 mi Β· 1h 60m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 14 TRUCK, I 605 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Ana, Irvine, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntington Beach | Palmdale | 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 Palmdale and Huntington Beach is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Palmdale is 0.0% below Huntington Beach β $1,366,658 vs $501,257 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Huntington Beach +2.8%, Palmdale -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Huntington Beach | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 7.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Huntington Beach (64.9Β°F) and Palmdale (63.6Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Palmdale gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, PALMDALE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntington Beach | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 165,487 |
| Median household income | $119,885 | $81,151 |
| Median age | 43.4 | 33.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 3.56 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.0% between Huntington Beach and Palmdale (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palmdale 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 Palmdale average 98Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Palmdale sees only 7.3 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 far is Palmdale, CA from Huntington Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 96 mi and the route typically takes 1h 60m via I 5 and CA 14 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Huntington Beach to Palmdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 96 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 Palmdale compare to Huntington Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Palmdale 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 does household income compare in Huntington Beach vs Palmdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,151 in Palmdale vs $119,885 in Huntington Beach β a 32.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Palmdale compared to Huntington Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $501,257 in Palmdale vs $1,366,658 in Huntington Beach β a 63.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
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· Palmdale, CA.