Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Irving, TX
Relocating 1420 mi from Santa Ana to Irving is a 24h 29m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1420 mi · 24h 29m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → 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 | Irving | 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 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.2% cheaper overall in Irving than Santa Ana on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.2% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Irving -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Ana | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 37.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Irving gets around 1.6 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 255,036 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $79,641 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 24.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 2.71 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 9.2% lower in Irving than Santa Ana.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irving 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 Irving average 96°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 much do homes cost in Irving compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $341,503 in Irving vs $866,066 in Santa Ana — a 60.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Santa Ana and Irving?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Irving vs 66.1°F in Santa Ana (0.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.6 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.0 in vs 12.5 in.
Is Irving more expensive than Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irving 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 far is Irving, TX from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 1420 mi and the route typically takes 24h 29m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Irving?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,641 in Irving vs $88,354 in Santa Ana — a 9.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Irving?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1420 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Irving compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Irving 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA · Irving, TX.