Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Pomona, CA
Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Pomona, CA is a 28 mi drive, about 37 min by car. This is a local relocation — same-day moves are typical — but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
28 mi · 37 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 57, CA 60, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Long Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | Pomona | 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 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Santa Ana (113.566) and Pomona (113.566) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Pomona: 0.0% below Santa Ana on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Pomona -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Ana | Pomona |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 14.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Pomona — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Pomona |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 148,391 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $78,869 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 35.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 13.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 3.55 |
Median household income in Pomona is 0.0% below Santa Ana ($88,354 → $78,869, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pomona 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 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Pomona average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Pomona sees only 14.5 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 — 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 Pomona compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pomona 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 far is Pomona, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 28 mi and the route typically takes 37 min via CA 57 and CA 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Santa Ana and Pomona?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.1°F in Pomona vs 66.1°F in Santa Ana (1.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.5 in vs 12.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Pomona compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $690,986 in Pomona vs $866,066 in Santa Ana — a 20.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Pomona?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,869 in Pomona vs $88,354 in Santa Ana — a 10.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Pomona?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 28 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 · Pomona, CA.