Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Antioch, CA
Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Antioch, CA covers 284 mi and about 5h 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.
284 mi Β· 5h 34m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, I 680, CA 4 |
| Major cities en route | Stockton, Fairfield, Vallejo, Concord, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Maria | Antioch | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.798 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 149.807 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.394 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 6.3% pricier overall in Antioch than Santa Maria on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 6.3% lower in Antioch than Santa Maria as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Antioch -3.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | Antioch |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 12.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 58.6Β°F vs 62.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Antioch sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US, ANTIOCH PUMPING PLT #3, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Antioch |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 115,759 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $94,256 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 17.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 3.13 |
Median household income in Antioch is 6.3% above Santa Maria ($84,617 β $94,256, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Antioch MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Antioch average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Antioch sees only 12.6 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 Maria vs Antioch?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,256 in Antioch vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 11.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Santa Maria to Antioch?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 284 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Antioch more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Antioch is 6.3% higher than Santa Maria (115.613 vs 108.798, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Antioch, CA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 284 mi and the route typically takes 5h 34m via US 101 and I 680. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Antioch compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Antioch MSA vs $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 202,410 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Antioch compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $598,211 in Antioch vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 9.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Maria.
City profiles: Santa Maria, CA Β· Antioch, CA.