Moving from Orange, CA to Goodyear, AZ
It is a 349 mi drive, roughly 6h 41m, between Orange, CA and Goodyear, AZ. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
349 mi · 6h 41m by car · CA → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, CA 91, CA 60 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Torrance |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Orange | Goodyear | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.0% cheaper overall in Goodyear than Orange on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.0% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Orange +0.5%, Goodyear -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Orange | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 74°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 107°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 7.4" |
Annual temperature rises 7.8°F moving to Goodyear per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Goodyear — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Orange | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 102,891 |
| Median household income | $116,945 | $101,814 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 40.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.9% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.09 | 2.87 |
Households in Goodyear earn about 9.0% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Goodyear MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Goodyear average 107°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Goodyear sees only 7.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Goodyear, AZ from Orange, CA?
The driving distance is 349 mi and the route typically takes 6h 41m via I 10 and CA 91. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Goodyear more expensive than Orange?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Goodyear is 9.0% lower than Orange (103.316 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Orange vs Goodyear?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $101,814 in Goodyear vs $116,945 in Orange — a 12.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Orange and Goodyear?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.9°F in Goodyear vs 66.1°F in Orange (7.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 7.4 in vs 12.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Orange to Goodyear?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 349 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Goodyear compared to Orange?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,424 in Goodyear vs $1,143,788 in Orange — a 59.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Goodyear compare to Orange?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA vs $50,490 in the Orange MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Orange.
City profiles: Orange, CA · Goodyear, AZ.