Moving from Santa Clarita, CA to Long Beach, CA
The 57 mi from Santa Clarita to Long Beach translate to about 1h 12m 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.
57 mi Β· 1h 12m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 405, CA 14 TRUCK, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clarita | Long Beach | 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 Clarita (113.566) and Long Beach (113.566) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Long Beach at $857,861 is 0.0% above Santa Clarita at $802,016.
YoY change: Santa Clarita -2.2%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clarita | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.8" | 12.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWHALL 5NW, CA US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clarita | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $119,926 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.0% between Santa Clarita and Long Beach (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Long Beach 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: Long Beach sees only 12.0 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
How does the job market in Long Beach compare to Santa Clarita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Clarita 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.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clarita to Long Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 57 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 Long Beach compared to Santa Clarita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $802,016 in Santa Clarita β a 7.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Clarita vs Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $119,926 in Santa Clarita β a 30.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Long Beach, CA from Santa Clarita, CA?
The driving distance is 57 mi and the route typically takes 1h 12m via I 405 and CA 14 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Clarita.
City profiles: Santa Clarita, CA Β· Long Beach, CA.