Moving from Phoenix, AZ to Santa Ana, CA
Moving from Phoenix, AZ to Santa Ana, CA covers 365 mi and about 6h 44m by car through 2 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.
365 mi Β· 6h 44m by car Β· AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 95, CA 91 |
| Major cities en route | Scottsdale, Peoria, Glendale, Mesa, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Phoenix | Santa Ana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 9.9% pricier overall in Santa Ana than Phoenix on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Santa Ana typical home at $866,066 is 9.9% above Phoenix at $410,169 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Phoenix -2.7%, Santa Ana -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Phoenix | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 104Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.9" | 12.5" |
Santa Ana is 6.4Β°F cooler on the annual average (72.5Β°F vs 66.1Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Santa Ana sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PHOENIX DEER VALLEY MUNI AP, AZ US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Phoenix | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 311,639 |
| Median household income | $77,041 | $88,354 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 12.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.7 | 3.91 |
Median household income in Santa Ana is 9.9% above Phoenix ($77,041 β $88,354, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Ana 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.
Moving between Arizona and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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: Santa Ana sees only 12.5 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Santa Ana compare to Phoenix?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA vs $48,600 in the Phoenix MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Phoenix to Santa Ana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 365 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Santa Ana more expensive than Phoenix?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Ana is 9.9% higher than Phoenix (113.566 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Santa Ana, CA from Phoenix, AZ?
The driving distance is 365 mi and the route typically takes 6h 44m via I 10 and US 95. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Phoenix vs Santa Ana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,354 in Santa Ana vs $77,041 in Phoenix β a 14.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Santa Ana compared to Phoenix?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $866,066 in Santa Ana vs $410,169 in Phoenix β a 111.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Phoenix.
City profiles: Phoenix, AZ Β· Santa Ana, CA.