Moving from San Mateo, CA to Santa Ana, CA
It is a 402 mi drive, roughly 7h 36m, between San Mateo, CA and Santa Ana, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
402 mi Β· 7h 36m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 152, US 101 |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Corona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | Santa Ana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
San Mateo and Santa Ana sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,686,905 in San Mateo to $866,066 in Santa Ana, a 1.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Santa Ana -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 12.5" |
Annual temperature rises 7.4Β°F moving to Santa Ana per NOAA normals.
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: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 311,639 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $88,354 |
| Median age | 38 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 12.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.91 |
Santa Ana households earn about 1.8% less than San Mateo at the median β $152,669 β $88,354 on 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 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 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Santa Ana compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $866,066 in Santa Ana vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 48.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Santa Ana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,354 in Santa Ana vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 42.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Santa Ana, CA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 402 mi and the route typically takes 7h 36m via I 5 and CA 152. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Santa Ana compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Santa Ana more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Ana is 1.8% lower than San Mateo (113.566 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo 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 402 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 San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Santa Ana, CA.