Moving from Orange, CA to Sacramento, CA
It is a 416 mi drive, roughly 7h 42m, between Orange, CA and Sacramento, CA. 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.
416 mi · 7h 42m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 80 BUS |
| Major cities en route | Roseville, Elk Grove, Antioch, Stockton, Modesto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Orange | Sacramento | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.1% moving from Orange to Sacramento — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,143,788 in Orange to $479,766 in Sacramento, a 6.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Orange +0.5%, Sacramento -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Orange | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 19.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.1°F vs 63.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Sacramento sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Orange | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 524,802 |
| Median household income | $116,945 | $83,753 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.9% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.09 | 2.63 |
Sacramento households earn about 6.1% less than Orange at the median — $116,945 → $83,753 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sacramento MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Sacramento average 94°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 — 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
When is the best time to move from Orange to Sacramento?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 416 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Orange and Sacramento?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.4°F in Sacramento vs 66.1°F in Orange (2.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 19.2 in vs 12.5 in.
How does household income compare in Orange vs Sacramento?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,753 in Sacramento vs $116,945 in Orange — a 28.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Sacramento more expensive than Orange?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sacramento is 6.1% lower than Orange (106.67 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Sacramento, CA from Orange, CA?
The driving distance is 416 mi and the route typically takes 7h 42m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Sacramento compare to Orange?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA vs $50,490 in the Orange MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Sacramento compared to Orange?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $479,766 in Sacramento vs $1,143,788 in Orange — a 58.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Orange.
City profiles: Orange, CA · Sacramento, CA.