Moving from Pomona, CA to Santa Ana, CA
Moving from Pomona, CA to Santa Ana, CA is a 28 mi drive, about 37 min by car. This is a local relocation — same-day moves are typical — but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
28 mi · 37 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 57, CA 60, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Long Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pomona | Santa Ana | 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 Pomona (113.566) and Santa Ana (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 pricier in Santa Ana: 0.0% above Pomona on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Pomona -0.8%, Santa Ana -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Pomona | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 12.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Santa Ana — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pomona | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,391 | 311,639 |
| Median household income | $78,869 | $88,354 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.7% | 12.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.55 | 3.91 |
Median household income in Santa Ana is 0.0% above Pomona ($78,869 → $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.
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: 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 — 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 much do homes cost in Santa Ana compared to Pomona?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $866,066 in Santa Ana vs $690,986 in Pomona — a 25.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Santa Ana compare to Pomona?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA vs $50,490 in the Pomona 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 Santa Ana, CA from Pomona, CA?
The driving distance is 28 mi and the route typically takes 37 min via CA 57 and CA 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Pomona and Santa Ana?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.1°F in Santa Ana vs 65.1°F in Pomona (1.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 12.5 in vs 14.5 in.
How does household income compare in Pomona vs Santa Ana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,354 in Santa Ana vs $78,869 in Pomona — a 12.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Pomona to Santa Ana?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 28 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pomona.
City profiles: Pomona, CA · Santa Ana, CA.