Moving from Westminster, CO to Santa Ana, CA
Relocating 1021 mi from Westminster to Santa Ana is a 17h 57m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1021 mi · 17h 57m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Costa Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Westminster | Santa Ana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 7.4% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.4% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $527,654 to $866,066 moving to Santa Ana.
YoY change: Westminster -3.3%, Santa Ana -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Westminster | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 12.5" |
Expect 13.7°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Santa Ana gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Westminster | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,546 | 311,639 |
| Median household income | $96,145 | $88,354 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.8% | 12.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 3.91 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 7.4% lower in Santa Ana than Westminster.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Ana 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 Colorado 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- 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 — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Santa Ana sees only 12.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.7°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 — 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 the job market in Santa Ana compare to Westminster?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA vs $58,490 in the Westminster MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Westminster and Santa Ana?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.1°F in Santa Ana vs 52.4°F in Westminster (13.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 44.8 in. Annual precipitation: 12.5 in vs 14.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Santa Ana compared to Westminster?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $866,066 in Santa Ana vs $527,654 in Westminster — a 64.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Santa Ana, CA from Westminster, CO?
The driving distance is 1021 mi and the route typically takes 17h 57m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Santa Ana more expensive than Westminster?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Ana is 7.4% higher than Westminster (113.566 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Westminster vs Santa Ana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,354 in Santa Ana vs $96,145 in Westminster — a 8.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Westminster to Santa Ana?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1021 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 Westminster.
City profiles: Westminster, CO · Santa Ana, CA.