Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Garden Grove, CA
It is a short 7.0 mi hop from Santa Ana, CA to Garden Grove, CA β roughly 14 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
7.0 mi Β· 14 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Ontario, Corona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | Garden Grove | 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
Housing comes in 0.0% above Santa Ana β $866,066 β $1,013,183 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Garden Grove +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Ana | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 12.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Garden Grove β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 170,603 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $90,166 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 39.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 3.51 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Garden Grove 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: Garden Grove 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 does the job market in Garden Grove compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Garden Grove 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.
How does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Garden Grove?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,166 in Garden Grove vs $88,354 in Santa Ana β a 2.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Garden Grove, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 7.0 mi and the route typically takes 14 min via the primary interstate. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Garden Grove compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,013,183 in Garden Grove vs $866,066 in Santa Ana β a 17.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Garden Grove?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 7.0 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 Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA Β· Garden Grove, CA.