Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Murrieta, CA
It is a 61 mi drive, roughly 1h 15m, between Santa Ana, CA and Murrieta, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
61 mi Β· 1h 15m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, CA 91, 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 | Murrieta | 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 |
Expect about 6.3% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Murrieta at 106.442 vs Santa Ana at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.3% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $866,066 to $688,358 moving to Murrieta.
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Murrieta -1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Ana | Murrieta |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 15.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Santa Ana (66.1Β°F) and Murrieta (65.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, FALLBROOK 5 NE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Murrieta |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 111,621 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $109,780 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 36 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 3.15 |
Murrieta households earn about 6.3% more than Santa Ana at the median β $88,354 β $109,780 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Murrieta 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
- 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 Murrieta compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Murrieta 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 does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Murrieta?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,780 in Murrieta vs $88,354 in Santa Ana β a 24.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Murrieta more expensive than Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murrieta 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.
How far is Murrieta, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 61 mi and the route typically takes 1h 15m via I 15 and CA 91. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Murrieta compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $688,358 in Murrieta vs $866,066 in Santa Ana β a 20.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Murrieta?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 61 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· Murrieta, CA.