Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Laredo, TX
A 1562 mi cross-country move between Santa Maria and Laredo is 28h 1m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1562 mi Β· 28h 1m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 67, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Mesa, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Maria | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.798 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 149.807 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.394 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Laredo sits 20.1% cheaper than Santa Maria on the BEA RPP, one of the larger gaps you will see between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $658,011 in Santa Maria to $220,331 in Laredo, a 20.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 100Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 19.7" |
Annual average temperature jumps 16.4Β°F β 58.6Β°F in Santa Maria vs 75.0Β°F in Laredo, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Laredo sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 3.36 |
Laredo households earn about 20.1% less than Santa Maria at the median β $84,617 β $63,264 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Laredo average 100Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (16.4Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Santa Maria vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 25.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Santa Maria to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1562 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Laredo more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 20.1% lower than Santa Maria (86.956 vs 108.798, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Laredo, TX from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 1562 mi and the route typically takes 28h 1m via I 10 and US 67. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 66.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA, on total employment of 104,610 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 Β· Laredo, TX.