Moving from Long Beach to Santa Ana, CA
Fact Checked by:
Quick answer: Moving from Long Beach to Santa Ana costs between $38 to $4,078 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 27-mile route within California take to days from packing to delivery.
Compare moving options from Long Beach to Santa Ana
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from Long Beach to Santa Ana are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.
- Full-service movers handle everything from packing in Long Beach 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 27 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
| Move type | Top pick | Average cost | Best for | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Safeway Moving | $778 - $2,654 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $403 - $1,132 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $50 - $119 | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load, and unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | Sterling Van Lines | $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 Long Beach to Santa Ana?
It costs between $38 to $4,078 to move from Long Beach to Santa Ana. The prices below break down your 27-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $448 - $4,078
- Moving containers: $117 - $1,503
- Rental trucks: $38 - $150
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $448 - $1,418 | $117 - $863 | $38 - $101 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $778 - $2,654 | $403 - $1,132 | $50 - $119 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,251 - $4,078 | $816 - $1,503 | $62 - $150 |
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 | $486 - $4,050+ | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $75/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Storage | About $90/month | Moving containers |
| Shuttle fee | $324 - $1,296 | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $81 - $324 | Rental trucks |
| Added protection | 1% - 2% of declared value | All move types |
Best movers from Long Beach to Santa Ana
At 27 miles, your Long Beach 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 Long Beach to Santa Ana. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout California, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 27 miles.
Best movers for smaller homes and apartment moves
Best California Movers is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from Long Beach 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 Long Beach guide.
Considerations when moving from Long Beach to Santa Ana
Cost of living: Long Beach vs. Santa Ana
When comparing the cost of living between Long Beach and Santa Ana, you need to look beyond housing prices. This section breaks down some key financial factors, including rent, home values, income, day-to-day expenses, and employment rates, to help you understand how life in Santa Ana stacks up against Long Beach.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Long Beach | Santa Ana | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,075 | $2,650 |
| Average home cost | $762,188 | $657,015 |
| Average income (per capita) | $83,969 | $88,354 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,681 | $6,333 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,051 | $11,160 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 7.0% |
| Average Sales Tax | 10.25% | 9.25% |
- Rent prices in Santa Ana are 28% higher than in Long Beach. So, you’ll likely need to set aside more for housing, which could shrink your budget for savings or other expenses.
- Home prices in Santa Ana are 14% lower than in Long Beach, making it easier for you to break into the housing market and land a more affordable mortgage and leaving you with extra money for other priorities.
- You’ll find that income levels in Long Beach and Santa Ana are pretty similar, so you can count on consistent earning potential, making it easier to manage your finances.
- Living expenses for one person in Santa Ana are 136% higher than in Long Beach, so you'll probably need to tweak your budget to cover the extra expenses.
- Living costs here run about 84% higher than in Long Beach. Essentials like housing, childcare, and healthcare all come with a steeper price tag, making Santa Ana one of the more expensive cities for families.
- Unemployment in Santa Ana is 35% higher than in Long Beach. Finding a good, stable job might be more challenging if you’re moving without having lined up a job.
- Sales taxes are about 10% cheaper in Santa Ana than in Long Beach, which can lighten your cost of living if you tend to spend more on taxable goods and services.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $7,080 in Santa Ana to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in Long Beach.
How life is different in Long Beach vs. Santa Ana
Before you make a move, it’s important to see how life stacks up in Santa Ana vs. Long Beach. Everything from weather and the population to cost of living, politics, and safety can shape your day-to-day experience. Check out this side-by-side comparison to decide which city suits your lifestyle and priorities best.
| Long Beach | Santa Ana | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 451,307 | 310,227 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 51-46 | Democratic 49.8-48.3 |
| Summer high | 79ºF | 82ºF |
| Winter low | 46ºF | 47ºF |
| Annual rain | 14" | 13" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 58.58 | 54.17 |
Santa Ana sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- You’ll notice that Santa Ana has about 31% fewer people than Long Beach. Moving to a smaller city usually means more tranquility, extra room, and lower expenses, though you might give up some big-city conveniences.
- In the last presidential election, both Long Beach and Santa Ana voted Democratic.
- Both Santa Ana and Long Beach average summer highs close to 82°F. That means your daily rhythm in summer should feel familiar after the move.
- During the coldest part of the year, both Long Beach and Santa Ana experience similar winter lows, with Long Beach reaching 46°F and Santa Ana getting down to 47°F.
- Both Long Beach and Santa Ana see about the same yearly rainfall—Long Beach averages 14 inches, while Santa Ana gets 13 inches each year.
- Both Long Beach and Santa Ana receive virtually no snowfall each year, so you won’t have to plan for winter weather in either city.
- Santa Ana is safer than Long Beach, boasting a lower crime index of 54.17 compared to Long Beach’s 58.58.
Things to do in Santa Ana
Craving adventure, unique culture, or live sports? Santa Ana has you covered.
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 Long Beach to Santa Ana?
If you’re hiring a professional moving company to get your stuff from Long Beach to Santa Ana, expect to pay between $361 and $1,191 to move just a few items or a small bedroom. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually run between $778 and $2,654. Moving a home with four or more bedrooms? You’re looking at anywhere from $1,251 up to $4,078 for the trip.
How much are moving container companies from Long Beach to Santa Ana?
If you’re moving from Long Beach to Santa Ana and thinking about using moving containers, here’s what you can expect to pay: For a studio or one-bedroom, prices usually start around $123 and go up to $830. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs typically fall between $403 and $1,132. For larger moves—think four or five bedrooms—expect to spend somewhere between $816 and $1,503.
How much is a moving truck from Long Beach to Santa Ana?
Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $39 to $98. A larger move will cost $50 to $119, and a four-bedroom or larger move from Long Beach to Santa Ana costs from $62 to $150.
How far in advance should I book Long Beach-to-Santa Ana movers?
For the smoothest experience, try to book your move from Long Beach to Santa Ana at least two months before your moving date. Planning a summer move? Aim for at least three months in advance, since that’s the busiest season. Locking in your Long Beach-to-Santa Ana movers early not only helps you snag your preferred date, but it can also score you the best prices. Some moving companies even sweeten the deal with early-bird discounts when you book ahead.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Santa Ana?
To save money on your move to Santa Ana, plan it between early October and late April. Moving outside the busy May-to-September season means less competition and better rates, helping you avoid peak prices and busy schedules.
