($1,698) Movers From Boston, MA to Santa Ana, CA

What to know before moving from Boston to Santa Ana

Moving from Boston to Santa Ana comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Santa Ana is generally more expensive than Boston, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

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

• Rent prices in Santa Ana are 22% lower than in Boston, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Boston.
  Home prices in Santa Ana are 14.2% higher than in Boston.
• Income in Santa Ana is 13.4% lower than in Boston, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Santa Ana include Allied Universal, First American Financial, and Yokohama Rubber Company.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Santa Ana, since the cost of living for a single person in Santa Ana is 31.4% higher than in Boston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Santa Ana is 1.3% lower than in Boston.
• The unemployment rate in Santa Ana is 12.90% higher than in Boston.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Santa Ana, since the city’s sales taxes in Santa Ana are 48.00% higher than in Boston.
• State income taxes in Santa Ana are 47.78% higher than in Boston.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,941.70 in Santa Ana to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Boston.

How life is different in Boston vs. Santa Ana

• Santa Ana might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 54% less than Boston.
• Getting around Santa Ana without a car might be more difficult than in Boston. Santa Ana has a public transportation score of 7 out of 10, whereas Boston is ranked 9. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Santa Ana neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Boston. Based on its score of 67 out of 100, Santa Ana isn’t as walkable as Boston, which has a score of 98 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Santa Ana, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Boston. While Boston has a bike-friendliness score of 86 out of 100, Santa Ana earned a 62. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• The crime rate in Santa Ana is higher than in Boston, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 54.17 in Santa Ana, it is 39.88 in Boston. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Santa Ana. With a crime index of 45.83, Santa Ana ranks lower in overall safety than Boston, whose index is Boston's 60.12. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in Santa Ana isn’t as good as it is in Boston, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. Santa Ana has an air quality rating of Moderate, and Boston is considered to be good. Cities with good to moderate air quality may have varying levels of minor potential for health risks for certain people. Beyond the moderate rating, those health risks increase in severity and the amount of residents affected.

Other things to consider for your Boston vs. Santa Ana move

• Weather: Santa Ana has hot, dry summers and mild winters with moderate rainfall.
• HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• 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.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a California moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: California doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Santa Ana. Start the process 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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Santa Ana

Ready to relocate to ""? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Santa Ana.

Helpful moving resources