Mesa, AZ to Santa Ana, CA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Mesa to Santa Ana typically costs $1,900–$5,300 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 375 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Mesa to Santa Ana
Moving from Mesa, AZ to Santa Ana, CA typically costs $1,900–$5,300 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 375-mile move from Mesa to Santa Ana, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 20, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Budget Truck Rental recently quoted $566 for a studio apartment using a rental truck.
- Allied Van Lines recently quoted $4,176 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
- American Van Lines recently quoted $3,303 for a 3 bedroom using professional movers.
Studio apartment
Mar 02, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Feb 23, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Feb 14, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 22, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 21, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 12, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 08, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Dec 29, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Dec 21, 2025
Studio apartment
Dec 11, 2025
Factors that affect moving costs from Mesa to Santa Ana
Your total cost will depend on:
- How much stuff you have: A one-bedroom move from Mesa to Santa Ana may only cost $1,200, whereas a full four-bedroom relocation can approach $7,700.
- The season you're moving in: Movers charge more in summer, the busiest months in Mesa.
- Which type of mover you use: Save with a truck rental ($400–$1,000), but expect more hassle than hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Santa Ana, CA to Mesa, AZ guide.
Best Mesa to Santa Ana movers by type
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Local
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Container
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Mesa to Santa Ana
Choosing a full-service mover is ideal when you prefer experts to oversee your interstate move from Mesa to Santa Ana. These companies handle all the details, allowing you to dedicate your energy to your next steps.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best AZ→CA movers
moveBuddha's dedicated analysts have scrutinized moving rates across 99 Arizona moving firms, selecting the top providers by assessing customer approval, reviews, and affordability.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The team ensures timely service delivery, engages in effective communication, and adheres to the projected costs.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Moving isn’t perfect, and mistakes will happen. We highlight movers that handle those situations honestly and put effort into resolving them fairly.
- Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
- Online reputation (15%): This mover keeps its website up to date and provides timely, professional replies to questions or concerns raised online.
- Service options (10%): Companies stand out when they provide comprehensive options such as full-service packing, safe storage, handling of specialty items, and expedited shipping.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Mesa to Santa Ana
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Santa Ana runs about 162% higher for singles and 101% higher for families than Mesa.
Singles spend around $6,333 in Santa Ana versus $2,416 in Mesa; families pay $11,160 compared with $5,566.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Mesa | Santa Ana | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,734 | $2,200 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $2,500 | $3,000 |
| Average home value | $432,892 | $843,858 |
| Average income (per capita) | $64,524 | $77,283 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,416 | $6,333 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $5,566 | $11,160 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.1% | 7.0% |
| Sales tax | 8.3% | 9.25% |
| State income tax | 2.5% | 13.3% |
- Rent is about 48% more expensive in Santa Ana than in Mesa. Make sure to include this increase in your monthly budget.
- Plan for a heftier mortgage payment since home prices are approximately 95% steeper in Santa Ana compared to Mesa.
- Here's some fantastic news, the average income is approximately 20% greater in Santa Ana than in Mesa, offering more potential for savings or investments each month.
- Prepare for elevated costs in Santa Ana, with the cost of living for a single person being 162% more than in Mesa. This includes routine costs such as utilities, groceries, clothes, and transportation.
- When considering a family move to Santa Ana, prepare for a potential rise in household expenses. The cost of living for a family here is 101% higher than in Mesa.
- Santa Ana has a higher unemployment rate than Mesa by about 15%. This means that more people are out of work, so employers may have a larger pool of candidates to choose from, which can lead to a more competitive hiring process.
- Sales taxes in Santa Ana surpass those in Mesa by 11%. This means everyday items like clothing, dining, and electronics may cost more at checkout.
- Income taxes are 432% more in California than in Arizona. This increase in state taxes means you will retain less of your earnings, impacting your disposable income.
Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in Mesa versus Santa Ana:
| Living Expense | Mesa | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $256.54 | $200.96 |
| Cell phone plan | $70.53 | $54.33 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.69 | $5.45 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.18 | $4.59 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $75.00 | $100.00 |
| Gym membership | $42.00 | $25.00 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Mesa than in Santa Ana.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Mesa than in Santa Ana.
- Eggs are less expensive in Mesa than in Santa Ana.
- Bread costs less in Mesa than in Santa Ana.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Mesa than in Santa Ana.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Mesa than in Santa Ana.
- Gym memberships cost more in Mesa than in Santa Ana.
How life is different in Mesa vs. Santa Ana
| Mesa | Santa Ana | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 504,258 | 310,227 |
| Transportation score | 4 | 7 |
| Walkability score | 38 | 67 |
| Bike friendliness score | 60 | 62 |
| Crime index | 44.67 | 54.17 |
| Safety index | 55.33 | 45.83 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
- Santa Ana's population is about 38% less than Mesa.
- Santa Ana's public transportation score of 7 out of 10 is higher than Mesa's score of 4.
- Santa Ana is more walkable than Mesa with a score of 67 out of 100 vs Mesa's 38 out of 100.
- Both Santa Ana and Mesa have similar bike-friendliness scores (60 vs 62), meaning Santa Ana is about as safe for cyclists as Mesa. Typically, cities with scores of 20 or higher are seen as reasonably safe, though higher scores mean better cycling accessibility.
- Santa Ana's crime rate is higher than Mesa with a score of 54.17 compared to Mesa's 44.67. This means that Santa Ana neighborhoods are safer than 54.17% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Mesa neighborhoods are safer than 44.67%.
- Santa Ana is considered to be less safe than Mesa with a score of 45.83 vs Mesa's 55.33.
- Air quality in Santa Ana is Moderate, and in Mesa it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Mesa to Santa Ana move
- HOA rules: Plan time to look into your HOA or community rules and regulations before moving day arrives, to avoid any delays.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
- State licensing: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in California, visit the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in California, but always confirm with local authorities to avoid surprises.
- Change of address: You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Santa Ana. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
- Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Santa Ana
With your sights set on , these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Santa Ana.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Fairbridge Square
- South Coast
- Park Santiago
- Sanpointe
- Meredith Parkwood
Best neighborhoods for families
- Meredith Parkwood
- Fairbridge Square
- West Grove Valley
- South Coast
Things to do in Santa Ana
With your move to California complete, you can dive right into experiencing Santa Ana. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you'll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: Santa Ana is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Bowers Museum, Lyon Air Museum, Discovery Cube Orange County, and Heritage Museum of Orange County.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Santiago Park Nature — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an 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) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Mesa to Santa Ana?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Mesa to Santa Ana. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Mesa.
When is the cheapest time to move from Mesa to Santa Ana?
Want to save on your move from Mesa to Santa Ana? Consider scheduling it in winter, when demand is lower and rates are often cheaper. Our moving discounts guide shows you how.
How long does a move from Mesa to Santa Ana take?
The 375-mile move from Mesa, AZ, to Santa Ana, CA, takes one to four days. Some Mesa movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Santa Ana.
What kinds of discounts do Mesa movers offer?
Many local moving companies provide ways to save, from ongoing deals to seasonal offers. In Mesa, 1 movers provide AAA member discounts. 2 movers offer special pricing for military members. 5 movers extend discounts to senior citizens.
Check with each mover to confirm discount availability, eligibility requirements, and how much you can save.
Need help moving a piano or antiques in Mesa?
These delicate items require movers with specialized training. Currently, 54 movers in Mesa provide piano moving services. 37 can transport antiques with care. Statewide, there are 73 piano movers and 49 antique movers, with nationwide counts at 2,294 and 1,462.
Demand for these services can be high, so schedule your specialty move as far ahead as possible.
