Moving from Lancaster, CA to Anaheim, CA
Moving from Lancaster, CA to Anaheim, CA covers 106 mi and about 2h 10m 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.
106 mi Β· 2h 10m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 14 TRUCK, CA 91 |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, Corona, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lancaster | 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 |
Overall cost of living in Anaheim and Lancaster 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 Anaheim is 0.0% above Lancaster β $465,847 vs $950,504 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Lancaster -2.1%, Anaheim +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lancaster | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.8" | 13.5" |
Anaheim runs 5.6Β°F warmer on the annual average (62.1Β°F vs 67.7Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Anaheim 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: LANCASTER WM J FOX FLD, CA US, ANAHEIM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lancaster | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 344,553 |
| Median household income | $76,083 | $90,583 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.7% | 19.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 3.26 |
Median household income in Anaheim is 0.0% above Lancaster ($76,083 β $90,583, 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 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: 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 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 Lancaster vs Anaheim?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,583 in Anaheim vs $76,083 in Lancaster β a 19.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Lancaster to Anaheim?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 106 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 Anaheim compare to Lancaster?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Anaheim MSA vs $50,490 in the Lancaster 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 Anaheim compared to Lancaster?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $950,504 in Anaheim vs $465,847 in Lancaster β a 104.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Anaheim, CA from Lancaster, CA?
The driving distance is 106 mi and the route typically takes 2h 10m via I 5 and CA 14 TRUCK. 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 Lancaster.
City profiles: Lancaster, CA Β· Anaheim, CA.