Moving from Topeka, KS to Santa Clarita, CA
Cross-country relocations like Topeka, KS β Santa Clarita, CA cover 1547 mi and about 27h 1m of driving through 6 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1547 mi Β· 27h 1m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β KS
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Glendale, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Topeka | Santa Clarita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.82 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.942 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.027 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.987 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level in Santa Clarita runs 27.9% higher than Topeka β a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (88.82 β 113.566, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Santa Clarita is 27.9% above Topeka β $190,096 vs $802,016 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Topeka -1.1%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Topeka | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.3" | 16.8" |
Climate warms by 10.6Β°F on the annual average β 54.9Β°F β 65.5Β°F.
Santa Clarita gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TOPEKA - NWS, KS US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Topeka | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,103 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $55,902 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.5% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 3.04 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 27.9% between Topeka and Santa Clarita (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.
Moving between Kansas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Topeka vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $55,902 in Topeka β a 114.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clarita compared to Topeka?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $190,096 in Topeka β a 321.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Topeka?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita MSA vs $45,340 in the Topeka MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 113,350 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than Topeka?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita is 27.9% higher than Topeka (113.566 vs 88.82, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Topeka 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 1547 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Santa Clarita, CA from Topeka, KS?
The driving distance is 1547 mi and the route typically takes 27h 1m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 6 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 Topeka.
City profiles: Topeka, KS Β· Santa Clarita, CA.