Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Lancaster, CA
Relocating between Santa Maria, CA and Lancaster, CA is a 163 mi drive — 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.
163 mi · 3h 33m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 166, CA 33, CA 138 |
| Major cities en route | Palmdale, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Maria | Lancaster | 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 |
Santa Maria and Lancaster sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $658,011 in Santa Maria to $465,847 in Lancaster, a 4.4% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Lancaster -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Maria | Lancaster |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 73°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 6.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 58.6°F vs 62.1°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US, LANCASTER WM J FOX FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Lancaster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 170,013 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $76,083 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 12.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 3.26 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 4.4% lower in Lancaster than Santa Maria.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lancaster 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 20–30% 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 Lancaster average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Lancaster sees only 6.8 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 — 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
Is Lancaster more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lancaster 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 Lancaster, CA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 163 mi and the route typically takes 3h 33m via CA 166 and CA 33. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Santa Maria vs Lancaster?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,083 in Lancaster vs $84,617 in Santa Maria — a 10.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lancaster compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $465,847 in Lancaster vs $658,011 in Santa Maria — a 29.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Santa Maria to Lancaster?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 163 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Lancaster compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Lancaster 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Maria.
City profiles: Santa Maria, CA · Lancaster, CA.