Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Moreno Valley, CA
Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Moreno Valley, CA covers 54 mi and about 1h 9m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
54 mi Β· 1h 9m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 91, CA 60, CA 55 |
| Major cities en route | Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Garden Grove, Torrance |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | Moreno Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Moreno Valley is 6.3% 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 Moreno Valley is 6.3% below Santa Ana β $866,066 vs $551,284 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Moreno Valley -1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Ana | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 10.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Santa Ana (66.1Β°F) and Moreno Valley (63.3Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, MARCH AFB, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 210,378 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $87,477 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 32.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 12.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 3.84 |
Median household incomes in Santa Ana ($88,354) and Moreno Valley ($87,477) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Moreno Valley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Moreno Valley average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Moreno Valley sees only 10.7 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 Moreno Valley compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $551,284 in Moreno Valley vs $866,066 in Santa Ana β a 36.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Moreno Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,477 in Moreno Valley vs $88,354 in Santa Ana β a 1.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Moreno Valley more expensive than Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Moreno Valley is 6.3% lower than Santa Ana (106.442 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Moreno Valley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 54 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Moreno Valley compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Moreno Valley, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 54 mi and the route typically takes 1h 9m via CA 91 and CA 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
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· Moreno Valley, CA.