Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Santa Maria, CA
Relocating between Santa Clara, CA and Santa Maria, CA is a 224 mi drive β 4h 22m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
224 mi Β· 4h 22m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 135, CR G4 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, San Jose |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | Santa Maria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 108.798 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 149.807 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 151.394 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.5% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Santa Maria +1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 13.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 109,880 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $84,617 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 29.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 11.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.78 |
Expect median household income to fall 1.5% β $173,670 β $84,617 per ACS 5-year estimates (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
How does household income compare in Santa Clara vs Santa Maria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,617 in Santa Maria vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 51.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Santa Maria compared to Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,011 in Santa Maria vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 63.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Santa Maria, CA from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 224 mi and the route typically takes 4h 22m via US 101 and CA 135. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara 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 224 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Santa Maria more expensive than Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Maria is 1.5% lower than Santa Clara (108.798 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Santa Maria compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 202,410 and 1,141,820 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 Santa Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA Β· Santa Maria, CA.