Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Vallejo, CA
Relocating between Santa Ana, CA and Vallejo, CA is a 418 mi drive β 7h 48m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
418 mi Β· 7h 48m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Corona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | Vallejo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
Santa Ana and Vallejo sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $866,066 in Santa Ana to $520,970 in Vallejo, a 4.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Vallejo -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Ana | Vallejo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 21.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.1Β°F vs 61.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, VALLEJO, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Vallejo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 124,637 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $89,496 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 40 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 19.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 2.84 |
Household income lines up β $88,354 vs $89,496 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Vallejo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,510 | $51,200 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,960 | $36,120 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 12,440 | $43,450 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,220 | $37,910 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 10,450 | $34,840 |
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
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Vallejo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 418 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Vallejo, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 418 mi and the route typically takes 7h 48m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Vallejo more expensive than Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Vallejo is 4.5% lower than Santa Ana (108.479 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Vallejo compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $520,970 in Vallejo vs $866,066 in Santa Ana β a 39.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Vallejo compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Vallejo MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA, on total employment of 137,640 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 Vallejo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $89,496 in Vallejo vs $88,354 in Santa Ana β a 1.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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· Vallejo, CA.