Moving from Sacramento, CA to Santa Clara, CA
Moving from Sacramento, CA to Santa Clara, CA covers 118 mi and about 2h 22m 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.
118 mi Β· 2h 22m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 680, I 80, I 880 |
| Major cities en route | Roseville, Elk Grove, Fairfield, Vallejo, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sacramento | Santa Clara | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
Santa Clara and Sacramento are close on the overall BEA RPP (106.67 vs 110.423); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Santa Clara typical home at $1,782,192 is 3.5% above Sacramento at $479,766 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Sacramento -2.5%, Santa Clara -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sacramento | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.2" | 13.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 63.4Β°F vs 60.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US, SAN JOSE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sacramento | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 129,239 |
| Median household income | $83,753 | $173,670 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.66 |
Median household income in Santa Clara is 3.5% above Sacramento ($83,753 vs $173,670, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clara MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
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: Santa Clara 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
Is Santa Clara more expensive than Sacramento?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clara is 3.5% higher than Sacramento (110.423 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Sacramento vs Santa Clara?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $173,670 in Santa Clara vs $83,753 in Sacramento β a 107.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Santa Clara, CA from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance is 118 mi and the route typically takes 2h 22m via I 680 and I 80. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Santa Clara compare to Sacramento?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA vs $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clara compared to Sacramento?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,782,192 in Santa Clara vs $479,766 in Sacramento β a 271.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Sacramento to Santa Clara?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 118 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Sacramento.
City profiles: Sacramento, CA Β· Santa Clara, CA.