Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Costa Mesa, CA
Relocating from Santa Ana, CA to Costa Mesa, CA? The drive is 6.0 mi β about 12 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
6.0 mi Β· 12 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Ontario, Corona, Pomona, Fullerton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | Costa Mesa | 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 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.0% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Costa Mesa +3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Ana | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 79Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 11.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 110,538 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $110,073 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 30.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 2.66 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.0% β $88,354 β $110,073 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Costa Mesa 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: Costa Mesa sees only 11.2 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
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Costa Mesa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 6.0 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Costa Mesa, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 6.0 mi and the route typically takes 12 min via the primary interstate. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Costa Mesa compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa vs $866,066 in Santa Ana β a 63.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Costa Mesa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $110,073 in Costa Mesa vs $88,354 in Santa Ana β a 24.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Costa Mesa compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Ana 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.
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· Costa Mesa, CA.