Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Carrollton, TX
The drive from Santa Ana, CA to Carrollton, TX runs 1430 mi β about 24h 39m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1430 mi Β· 24h 39m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Torrance, Downey |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | Carrollton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Carrollton is 9.2% cheaper than Santa Ana overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Carrollton is 9.2% below Santa Ana β $866,066 vs $406,040 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Carrollton -4.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Ana | Carrollton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 41.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Santa Ana (66.1Β°F) and Carrollton (65.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Carrollton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 132,741 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $99,115 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 2.6 |
Income steps up 9.2%: $88,354 in Santa Ana vs $99,115 in Carrollton.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Carrollton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Carrollton average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Carrollton compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Carrollton MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Carrollton, TX from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 1430 mi and the route typically takes 24h 39m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Carrollton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1430 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Carrollton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $99,115 in Carrollton vs $88,354 in Santa Ana β a 12.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Carrollton more expensive than Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Carrollton is 9.2% lower than Santa Ana (103.09 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Carrollton compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $406,040 in Carrollton vs $866,066 in Santa Ana β a 53.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA Β· Carrollton, TX.