Moving from Huntington Beach, CA to Santa Clarita, CA
Moving from Huntington Beach, CA to Santa Clarita, CA covers 67 mi and about 1h 27m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
67 mi Β· 1h 27m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5 TRUCK, I 5, I 605 |
| 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
| Huntington Beach | 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 |
Santa Clarita and Huntington Beach are close on the overall BEA RPP (113.566 vs 113.566); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Santa Clarita typical home at $802,016 is 0.0% under Huntington Beach at $1,366,658 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Huntington Beach +2.8%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Huntington Beach | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 16.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.9Β°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: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntington Beach | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $119,885 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 43.4 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 3.04 |
Household income lines up β $119,885 vs $119,926 on 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 the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Huntington Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita 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 much do homes cost in Santa Clarita compared to Huntington Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $1,366,658 in Huntington Beach β a 41.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Huntington Beach 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 67 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Santa Clarita, CA from Huntington Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 67 mi and the route typically takes 1h 27m 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 Huntington Beach.
City profiles: Huntington Beach, CA Β· Santa Clarita, CA.