Moving from Santa Rosa, CA to Temecula, CA
It is 512 mi between Santa Rosa and Temecula β roughly 9h 38m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 1 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
512 mi Β· 9h 38m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 580, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Richmond, Vallejo, Fairfield, Berkeley, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Rosa | Temecula | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 107.784 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.777 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 139.569 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 107.784 vs 106.442 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.2% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Rosa -2.2%, Temecula -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Rosa | Temecula |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 31.5" | 15.3" |
Annual temperature rises 6.1Β°F moving to Temecula per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ROSA, CA US, FALLBROOK 5 NE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Rosa | Temecula |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,216 | 110,404 |
| Median household income | $97,410 | $117,840 |
| Median age | 40.5 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 25.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.12 |
Temecula households earn about 1.2% more than Santa Rosa at the median β $97,410 β $117,840 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Temecula MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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
- 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 Rosa to Temecula?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 512 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Temecula, CA from Santa Rosa, CA?
The driving distance is 512 mi and the route typically takes 9h 38m via I 5 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Temecula more expensive than Santa Rosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Temecula is 1.2% lower than Santa Rosa (106.442 vs 107.784, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Temecula compared to Santa Rosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $766,379 in Temecula vs $718,726 in Santa Rosa β a 6.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Rosa vs Temecula?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,840 in Temecula vs $97,410 in Santa Rosa β a 21.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Temecula compare to Santa Rosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Temecula MSA vs $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 206,310 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 Rosa.
City profiles: Santa Rosa, CA Β· Temecula, CA.