Moving from Santa Maria, CA to El Monte, CA
Relocating between Santa Maria, CA and El Monte, CA is a 171 mi drive β 3h 33m 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.
171 mi Β· 3h 33m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 154, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | San Buenaventura, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Maria | El Monte | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.798 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 149.807 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.394 | 170.433 | 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
Housing comes in 4.4% above Santa Maria β $658,011 β $765,444 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, El Monte +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 15.7" |
Expect 7.4Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in El Monte β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US, SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 107,066 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $64,484 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 3.62 |
Expect median household income to fall 4.4% β $84,617 β $64,484 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Monte MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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 the job market in El Monte compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the El Monte MSA vs $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 202,410 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Santa Maria vs El Monte?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,484 in El Monte vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 23.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in El Monte compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $765,444 in El Monte vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 16.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is El Monte more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Monte is 4.4% higher than Santa Maria (113.566 vs 108.798, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is El Monte, CA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 171 mi and the route typically takes 3h 33m via US 101 and CA 154. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Santa Maria to El Monte?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 171 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· El Monte, CA.