Moving from Irvine, CA to Anaheim, CA
The drive from Irvine to Anaheim covers 21 mi in about 30 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
21 mi · 30 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 241 TOLL, CA 133 TOLL, CA 91 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Fullerton, Downey, West Covina, El Monte |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Irvine | Anaheim | 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 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Irvine (113.566) and Anaheim (113.566) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Anaheim: 0.0% below Irvine on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Irvine -0.8%, Anaheim +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Irvine | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 85°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 13.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Anaheim — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US, ANAHEIM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Irvine | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 344,553 |
| Median household income | $129,647 | $90,583 |
| Median age | 33.9 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 39.4% | 19.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 3.26 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.0% between Irvine and Anaheim (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Anaheim 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: Anaheim sees only 13.5 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 Irvine and Anaheim?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 67.7°F in Anaheim vs 64.9°F in Irvine (2.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 13.5 in vs 14.1 in.
When is the best time to move from Irvine to Anaheim?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 21 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Anaheim compare to Irvine?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Anaheim MSA vs $50,490 in the Irvine 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 Anaheim, CA from Irvine, CA?
The driving distance is 21 mi and the route typically takes 30 min via CA 241 TOLL and CA 133 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Irvine vs Anaheim?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,583 in Anaheim vs $129,647 in Irvine — a 30.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Anaheim compared to Irvine?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $950,504 in Anaheim vs $1,557,982 in Irvine — a 39.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Irvine.
City profiles: Irvine, CA · Anaheim, CA.