Moving from Santa Clarita, CA to Visalia, CA
Relocating between Santa Clarita, CA and Visalia, CA is a 153 mi drive — 2h 58m 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.
153 mi · 2h 58m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 5 |
| 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 Clarita | Visalia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 99.825 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 156.446 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 84.053 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 12.1% cheaper overall in Visalia than Santa Clarita on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.1% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Santa Clarita -2.2%, Visalia +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Clarita | Visalia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.8" | 10.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Visalia — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWHALL 5NW, CA US, VISALIA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clarita | Visalia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 142,649 |
| Median household income | $119,926 | $79,952 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 14.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 3.07 |
Expect median household income to fall 12.1% — $119,926 → $79,952 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Visalia MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations | 23,120 | $34,050 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | 21,100 | $34,050 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 18,650 | $39,040 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,530 | $46,390 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 13,770 | $63,530 |
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 Visalia average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Visalia sees only 10.3 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 does household income compare in Santa Clarita vs Visalia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,952 in Visalia vs $119,926 in Santa Clarita — a 33.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Visalia compared to Santa Clarita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $396,184 in Visalia vs $802,016 in Santa Clarita — a 50.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Visalia, CA from Santa Clarita, CA?
The driving distance is 153 mi and the route typically takes 2h 58m via CA 99 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Visalia more expensive than Santa Clarita?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Visalia is 12.1% lower than Santa Clarita (99.825 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Santa Clarita and Visalia?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.1°F in Visalia vs 65.5°F in Santa Clarita (2.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 10.3 in vs 16.8 in.
How does the job market in Visalia compare to Santa Clarita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,350 in the Visalia MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Clarita MSA, on total employment of 168,730 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 Visalia?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 153 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Clarita.
City profiles: Santa Clarita, CA · Visalia, CA.