Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Costa Mesa, CA
The 384 mi from Santa Clara to Costa Mesa translate to about 7h 18m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
384 mi Β· 7h 18m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, CA 152 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, San Jose |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | Costa Mesa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Costa Mesa and Santa Clara are close on the overall BEA RPP (110.423 vs 113.566); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Costa Mesa typical home at $1,413,322 is 2.8% under Santa Clara at $1,782,192 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Costa Mesa +3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 79Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 11.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 60.7Β°F vs 64.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 110,538 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $110,073 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 30.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.66 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 2.8% between Santa Clara and Costa Mesa (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Costa Mesa 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 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
- Dry climate: Costa Mesa sees only 11.2 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
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara to Costa Mesa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 384 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Costa Mesa compared to Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 20.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Costa Mesa compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Costa Mesa, CA from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 384 mi and the route typically takes 7h 18m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Costa Mesa more expensive than Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Costa Mesa is 2.8% higher than Santa Clara (113.566 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Santa Clara vs Costa Mesa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $110,073 in Costa Mesa vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 36.6% lower 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 Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA Β· Costa Mesa, CA.