Moving from Anaheim to Santa Ana, CA

Quick answer: Moving from Anaheim to Santa Ana costs between $40 to $3,958 depending on your home's size and if you hire a moving company or move yourself, based on data from our moving cost calculator.

Most moves on this 7-mile route within California take to days from packing to delivery.

Compare moving options from Anaheim to Santa Ana

The 4 most common types of movers when moving from Anaheim to Santa Ana are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.

  • Full-service movers handle everything from packing in Anaheim to driving and unloading in Santa Ana, but cost the most
  • Labor-only services work well if you only want a crew for the heavy lifting
  • Moving containers balance price and effort, but you handle loading or hire labor separately
  • Rental trucks are the cheapest if you're comfortable driving 7 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
Move type Top pick Average cost Best for Main downside
Full-service mover Safeway Moving $819 - $2,472 Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading Highest price of all options
Moving container PODS $384 - $1,076 Pack and load on your own schedule You handle all loading and unloading
Rental truck Budget Truck Rental $49 - $126 Lowest upfront cost You drive, load, and unload everything yourself
Labor-only Best Fit Movers $75/hr Need a loading crew and already have a truck You arrange your own transport between cities

How much does it cost to move from Anaheim to Santa Ana?

It costs between $40 to $3,958 to move from Anaheim to Santa Ana. The prices below break down your 7-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.

  • Full service movers: $448 - $3,958
  • Moving containers: $128 - $1,644
  • Rental trucks: $40 - $143
Home size Full-service mover Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 bedroom $448 - $1,445 $128 - $797 $40 - $102
2 - 3 bedrooms $819 - $2,472 $384 - $1,076 $49 - $126
4+ bedrooms $1,317 - $3,958 $832 - $1,644 $62 - $143
*Prices are based on moveBuddha pricing data backed by our 11 years of experience, reviewing 3,155 moving companies, and are updated as of May 2026. Actual costs vary based on home size, add-on services, access or parking conditions, and timing. Use a moving cost calculator and compare quotes from at least 3 movers for the most accurate number.

Extra costs to budget for

Most quotes won't include these line items by default — confirm each one with your mover or rental company before booking.

Extra cost Typical range Applies to
Packing service $495 - $4,125+ Full-service movers
Loading labor $75/hr per mover Moving containers, rental trucks
Storage About $110/month Moving containers
Shuttle fee $330 - $1,320 Full-service movers
Equipment rental $83 - $330 Rental trucks
Added protection 1% - 2% of declared value All move types

Best movers from Anaheim to Santa Ana

At 7 miles, your Anaheim to Santa Ana move sits in a range where both national and local companies can handle it well, but they serve different needs. We've listed our top pick from each category below.

Best movers for larger homes and complex logistics

Safeway Moving is our top-rated full-service pick for larger moves from Anaheim to Santa Ana. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout California, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 7 miles.

Best movers for smaller homes and apartment moves

Best California Movers is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from Anaheim to Santa Ana. They've been in business since 2019 (7 years of experience) and 98.3% of their 414 verified reviews are positive.

More California moving resources

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Santa Ana to Anaheim guide.

Considerations when moving from Anaheim to Santa Ana

Cost of living: Anaheim vs. Santa Ana

The cost of living in Anaheim vs. Santa Ana goes beyond rent prices. You also need to think about housing costs, average salaries, daily expenses, and job trends to see how living in Santa Ana stacks up against Anaheim.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

Anaheim Santa Ana
Average rent cost $2,550 $2,650
Average home cost $769,966 $657,015
Average income (per capita) $90,583 $88,354
Cost of living (single person) $5,451 $6,333
Cost of living (family of 4) $11,381 $11,160
Unemployment rate 4.1% 7.0%
Average Sales Tax 7.75% 9.25%
  • Rent prices are the same in Santa Ana and Anaheim, meaning your housing budget likely won’t change much, making the financial transition smoother.
  • Home prices in Santa Ana are 15% lower than in Anaheim, which may make it easier to enter the housing market and get a more affordable mortgage, freeing up your budget for other priorities.
  • Income is similar in Anaheim and Santa Ana, so you can expect steady earning potential, making it easier to plan your finances.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Santa Ana is 16% higher than in Anaheim, you'll likely need to adjust your budget to accommodate increased expenses.
  • You can expect the cost of living in Santa Ana to be about the same as it was in Anaheim, so your budget shouldn’t take much of a hit after the move.
  • Unemployment in Santa Ana is 71% higher than in Anaheim. This means job hunting may be tougher and job security less certain, especially if you’re relocating without having a job lined up.
  • In Santa Ana, sales taxes are 19% higher than in Anaheim. That means everyday buys — from groceries to gadgets — could end up costing you more.

If you usually spend $3,000 a month living in Anaheim, expect to budget around $3,480 to maintain the same lifestyle in Santa Ana.

How life is different in Anaheim vs. Santa Ana

As you plan your move, comparing life in Anaheim vs. Santa Ana is essential to making an informed decision that aligns with your lifestyle, values, and needs. Factors like population size, climate, political leaning, cost of living, and safety can significantly impact your experience in a new place. Below is a side-by-side breakdown of key differences between Anaheim and Santa Ana to help you evaluate which city may be a better fit.

Anaheim Santa Ana
Population 346,824 310,227
Political leaning Democratic 51-46 Democratic 49.8-48.3
Summer high 84ºF 82ºF
Winter low 46ºF 47ºF
Annual rain 14" 13"
Annual snow 0" 0"
Crime index 53.18 54.17
  • You’ll find that Santa Ana is about 11% less populated than Anaheim. Living in a smaller city often means more peace, extra space, and lower costs, but you might miss some of the perks that come with big-city life.
  • The last presidential election saw both Anaheim and Santa Ana siding with the Democratic party.
  • Summer highs in Santa Ana and Anaheim are nearly identical, with averages around 82°F. Moving won’t bring much climate adjustment.
  • During the coldest months, both Anaheim and Santa Ana experience similar chilly lows, with temperatures near 46°F and 47°F.
  • You won’t have to adjust to new weather conditions when you move from Anaheim to Santa Ana. Both spots see about the same amount of rain each year: 14 inches in Anaheim and 13 inches in Santa Ana.
  • Both Anaheim and Santa Ana receive virtually no snowfall each year, so you won’t have to plan for winter weather in either city.
  • Crime levels in Santa Ana and Anaheim are about the same, with index scores close to one another.

Things to do in Santa Ana

Looking for adventure, cultural experiences, or live sports? Santa Ana has something for everyone.

Museums in Santa Ana

  • Bowers Museum
  • Lyon Air Museum
  • Discovery Cube Orange County
  • Heritage Museum of Orange County
  • Orange County Museum of Art

Parks in Santa Ana

  • Santiago Park Nature

Sports teams in Santa Ana

  • Los Angeles Angels (in Anaheim)
  • Anaheim Ducks (in Anaheim)
  • Santa Ana College Dons (Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Soccer, Track & Field, Wrestling)
  • Santa Ana United (Soccer Team)

Universities in Santa Ana

  • Santa Ana College
  • California Coast University
  • Art Institute of California

FAQ

How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Anaheim to Santa Ana?

Moving your furniture from Anaheim to Santa Ana with a professional moving company usually ranges from $340 to $1,156. If you're packing up a two- or three-bedroom home, prices typically land between $819 and $2,472. Planning to move four bedrooms or more? Expect to pay anywhere from $1,317 to $3,958 for the same distance.

How much are moving container companies from Anaheim to Santa Ana?

If you’re moving from Anaheim to Santa Ana and considering moving containers, here’s a quick breakdown of what you might spend: For a studio or one-bedroom, costs typically range from $121 to $822. Two- and three-bedroom homes usually fall between $384 and $1,076. If you’re moving from a four- or five-bedroom home, expect prices to range from $832 to $1,644.

How much is a moving truck from Anaheim to Santa Ana?

Want to save some cash? Renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest bet. Just remember, you’ll be in charge of both the driving and the heavy lifting. To give you an accurate estimate, we’ve included average fuel costs in our pricing so you’re not caught off guard.

Renting a truck for a studio or one-bedroom move will typically set you back between $38 and $102. If you're moving a larger apartment, you can expect costs to range from $49 to $126. For four-bedroom homes or bigger making the trip from Anaheim to Santa Ana, rental prices generally fall between $62 and $143.

How far in advance should I book Anaheim-to-Santa Ana movers?

Ideally, you should book your move from Anaheim to Santa Ana at least two months in advance. If you’re moving during the busy summer months, it’s best to book your movers at least three months ahead. The sooner you reserve your Anaheim-to-Santa Ana movers, the better the chance you’ll get affordable rates and secure the exact moving date you need. Some movers even offer early-bird discounts for advance reservations.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Santa Ana?

If you want to save money on your move to Santa Ana, aim for early October through late April. This window falls outside the hectic peak season (May to September), when most people relocate and prices soar. By steering clear of the busy summer months, you’ll take advantage of lower demand and lower rates.