Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Evansville, IN
Cross-country relocations like Santa Maria, CA β Evansville, IN cover 2125 mi and about 37h 41m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2125 mi Β· 37h 41m by car Β· IN β IL β MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IN β IL β MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Springfield, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Maria | Evansville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.798 | 91.528 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 149.807 | 86.717 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 94.318 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.394 | 66.735 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 108.798 to 91.528, putting Evansville roughly 15.9% below Santa Maria on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Evansville: 15.9% below Santa Maria on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Evansville +3.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | Evansville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 27Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 47.8" |
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, EVANSVILLE MUSEUM, IN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Evansville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 116,441 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $52,251 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 2.23 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 15.9% between Santa Maria and Evansville (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Evansville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 17,860 | $38,480 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 16,890 | $36,600 |
| Production Occupations | 14,790 | $42,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,900 | $27,390 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 13,580 | $31,810 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Indiana
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Indiana's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
Frequently asked
Is Evansville more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Evansville is 15.9% lower than Santa Maria (91.528 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 Evansville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2125 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Santa Maria vs Evansville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $52,251 in Evansville vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 38.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Evansville compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,930 in the Evansville MSA vs $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA, on total employment of 152,180 and 202,410 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Evansville, IN from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 2125 mi and the route typically takes 37h 41m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Evansville compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,977 in Evansville vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 69.8% 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· Evansville, IN.