Moving from Fresno to Santa Ana, CA
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Quick answer: Moving from Fresno to Santa Ana costs between $349 to $7,222 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 250-mile route within California take 1 to 4 days from packing to delivery.
Compare moving options from Fresno to Santa Ana
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from Fresno to Santa Ana are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.
- Full-service movers handle everything from packing in Fresno 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 250 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
| Move type | Top pick | Average cost | Best for | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Safeway Moving | $1,783 - $5,271 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $1,355 - $2,418 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $375 - $776 | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load, and unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | Colonial Van & Storage | $135/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 Fresno to Santa Ana?
It costs between $349 to $7,222 to move from Fresno to Santa Ana. The prices below break down your 250-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $1,137 - $7,222
- Moving containers: $960 - $3,086
- Rental trucks: $349 - $897
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,137 - $4,127 | $960 - $1,725 | $349 - $611 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,783 - $5,271 | $1,355 - $2,418 | $375 - $776 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,605 - $7,222 | $1,617 - $3,086 | $487 - $897 |
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 | $312 - $2,600+ | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $135/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Storage | About $90/month | Moving containers |
| Shuttle fee | $208 - $832 | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $52 - $208 | Rental trucks |
| Added protection | 1% - 2% of declared value | All move types |
Best movers from Fresno to Santa Ana
At 250 miles, your Fresno 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 Fresno to Santa Ana. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout California, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 250 miles.
Best movers for smaller homes and apartment moves
Meathead Movers is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from Fresno to Santa Ana. They've been in business since 2003 (23 years of experience) and 84.6% of their 500 verified reviews are positive.
More California moving resources
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Santa Ana to Fresno guide.
Considerations when moving from Fresno to Santa Ana
Cost of living: Fresno vs. Santa Ana
When comparing the cost of living between Fresno 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 Fresno.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Fresno | Santa Ana | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,650 | $2,650 |
| Average home cost | $347,152 | $657,015 |
| Average income (per capita) | $66,804 | $88,354 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,277 | $6,333 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $5,358 | $11,160 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.09% | 7.0% |
| Average Sales Tax | 7.98% | 9.25% |
- Rent prices in Santa Ana are 61% higher than in Fresno. 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 89% higher than in Fresno, which could make buying a home more challenging. It might require a larger upfront investment and could increase your monthly mortgage payments.
- Salaries here average 32% higher than in Fresno. If your pay matches local rates, you could see a real boost to your financial well-being.
- Living expenses for one person in Santa Ana are 178% higher than in Fresno, so you'll probably need to tweak your budget to cover the extra expenses.
- Living costs here run about 108% higher than in Fresno. Essentials like housing, childcare, and healthcare all come with a steeper price tag, making Santa Ana one of the more expensive cities for families.
- The unemployment rate in Santa Ana matches that of Fresno, suggesting you'll find a similar job market and employment opportunities in your new city as you have now.
- Sales taxes run 16% higher in Santa Ana than in Fresno, so you should plan on higher costs for regular taxable purchases.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $8,340 in Santa Ana to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in Fresno.
How life is different in Fresno vs. Santa Ana
Before you make a move, it’s important to see how life stacks up in Santa Ana vs. Fresno. 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.
| Fresno | Santa Ana | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 542,107 | 310,227 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 51-46 | Democratic 49.8-48.3 |
| Summer high | 98ºF | 82ºF |
| Winter low | 38ºF | 47ºF |
| Annual rain | 13" | 13" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 56.85 | 54.17 |
Santa Ana sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- You’ll notice that Santa Ana has about 43% fewer people than Fresno. 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 Fresno and Santa Ana voted Democratic.
- With summer highs at 82°F, Santa Ana is cooler than Fresno at 98°F. The change means easier summers and more chances to enjoy the outdoors.
- In the coldest months, Fresno gets chillier than Santa Ana, with lows dipping to 38°F while Santa Ana only drops to 47°F.
- Both Fresno and Santa Ana see about the same yearly rainfall—Fresno averages 13 inches, while Santa Ana gets 13 inches each year.
- Both Fresno and Santa Ana receive virtually no snowfall each year, so you won’t have to plan for winter weather in either city.
- Both Fresno and Santa Ana share similar crime rates, so you won’t notice much difference in safety between them.
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 Fresno to Santa Ana?
If you’re hiring a professional moving company to get your stuff from Fresno to Santa Ana, expect to pay between $1,023 and $3,703 to move just a few items or a small bedroom. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually run between $1,783 and $5,271. Moving a home with four or more bedrooms? You’re looking at anywhere from $2,605 up to $7,222 for the trip.
How much are moving container companies from Fresno to Santa Ana?
If you’re moving from Fresno 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 $704 and go up to $1,764. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs typically fall between $1,355 and $2,418. For larger moves—think four or five bedrooms—expect to spend somewhere between $1,617 and $3,086.
How much is a moving truck from Fresno 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 $367 to $662. A larger move will cost $375 to $776, and a four-bedroom or larger move from Fresno to Santa Ana costs from $487 to $897.
How far in advance should I book Fresno-to-Santa Ana movers?
For the smoothest experience, try to book your move from Fresno 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 Fresno-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.
