Moving from Moreno Valley, CA to Santa Maria, CA
Moving from Moreno Valley, CA to Santa Maria, CA covers 222 mi and about 4h 34m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
222 mi Β· 4h 34m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 134, US 101, CA 154 |
| Major cities en route | Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Riverside, San Bernardino |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Moreno Valley | Santa Maria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 108.798 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 149.807 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 151.394 | 100.0 |
Santa Maria and Moreno Valley are close on the overall BEA RPP (106.442 vs 108.798); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 2.2% higher in Santa Maria than Moreno Valley as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Moreno Valley -1.5%, Santa Maria +1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Moreno Valley | Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 10.7" | 13.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 63.3Β°F vs 58.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MARCH AFB, CA US, SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Moreno Valley | Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 109,880 |
| Median household income | $87,477 | $84,617 |
| Median age | 32.1 | 29.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.1% | 11.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.84 | 3.78 |
Household income lines up β $87,477 vs $84,617 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Maria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 23,340 | $35,370 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 21,000 | $48,900 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 15,770 | $37,820 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 13,920 | $66,060 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations | 13,560 | $36,290 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Santa Maria sees only 13.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
Is Santa Maria more expensive than Moreno Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Maria is 2.2% higher than Moreno Valley (108.798 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Santa Maria compared to Moreno Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,011 in Santa Maria vs $551,284 in Moreno Valley β a 19.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Moreno Valley to Santa Maria?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 222 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Santa Maria, CA from Moreno Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 222 mi and the route typically takes 4h 34m via CA 134 and US 101. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Moreno Valley vs Santa Maria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,617 in Santa Maria vs $87,477 in Moreno Valley β a 3.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Santa Maria compare to Moreno Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA vs $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA, on total employment of 202,410 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Moreno Valley.
City profiles: Moreno Valley, CA Β· Santa Maria, CA.