Moving from Santa Clarita, CA to Palmdale, CA
The drive from Santa Clarita to Palmdale covers 33 mi in about 44 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
33 mi · 44 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 14, US 6 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clarita | Palmdale | 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 Palmdale (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 Palmdale: 0.0% below Santa Clarita on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Clarita -2.2%, Palmdale -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Clarita | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.8" | 7.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Palmdale — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWHALL 5NW, CA US, PALMDALE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clarita | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 165,487 |
| Median household income | $119,926 | $81,151 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 33.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 3.56 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.0% between Santa Clarita and Palmdale (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palmdale 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 Palmdale average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Palmdale sees only 7.3 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 much do homes cost in Palmdale compared to Santa Clarita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $501,257 in Palmdale vs $802,016 in Santa Clarita — a 37.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Palmdale compare to Santa Clarita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Palmdale 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.
How far is Palmdale, CA from Santa Clarita, CA?
The driving distance is 33 mi and the route typically takes 44 min via CA 14 and US 6 HIST. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clarita to Palmdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 33 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Santa Clarita and Palmdale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.6°F in Palmdale vs 65.5°F in Santa Clarita (1.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 7.3 in vs 16.8 in.
How does household income compare in Santa Clarita vs Palmdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,151 in Palmdale vs $119,926 in Santa Clarita — a 32.3% 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 Clarita.
City profiles: Santa Clarita, CA · Palmdale, CA.