Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Santa Clarita, CA
It is a 317 mi drive, roughly 6h, between Santa Clara, CA and Santa Clarita, 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.
317 mi Β· 6h by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 152, US 101 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Lancaster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | Santa Clarita | 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 |
Santa Clara and Santa Clarita 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 $1,782,192 in Santa Clara to $802,016 in Santa Clarita, a 2.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 16.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 60.7Β°F vs 65.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Santa Clarita sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.04 |
Santa Clarita households earn about 2.8% less than Santa Clara at the median β $173,670 β $119,926 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clarita 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Santa Clarita average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 far is Santa Clarita, CA from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 317 mi and the route typically takes 6h via I 5 and CA 152. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clarita compared to Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 55.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara to Santa Clarita?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 317 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Santa Clara vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 30.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita 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 the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita 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.
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· Santa Clarita, CA.