Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Concord, CA
The 269 mi from Santa Maria to Concord translate to about 5h 19m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
269 mi Β· 5h 19m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, I 680, CA 135 |
| Major cities en route | Antioch, Fairfield, Vallejo, Berkeley, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Maria | Concord | 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 |
BEA RPP moves from 108.798 in Santa Maria to 115.613 in Concord, a 6.3% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Concord at $742,769 is 6.3% above Santa Maria at $658,011.
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Concord -3.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 16.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US, CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 124,260 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $109,195 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 2.72 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 6.3% between Santa Maria and Concord (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Concord 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
- 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 Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,195 in Concord vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 29.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Concord compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $742,769 in Concord vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 12.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Concord compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Concord 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 far is Concord, CA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 269 mi and the route typically takes 5h 19m via US 101 and I 680. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Concord more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord 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.
When is the best time to move from Santa Maria to Concord?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 269 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
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· Concord, CA.