Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Omaha, NE
It is 1676 mi and 29h 33m from Santa Maria to Omaha β a cross-country move across 6 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1676 mi Β· 29h 33m by car Β· NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Lincoln, Greeley, Denver, Aurora, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Maria | Omaha | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.798 | 91.911 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 149.807 | 76.378 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 94.063 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.394 | 86.404 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 15.5% moving from Santa Maria to Omaha β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $658,011 in Santa Maria to $294,189 in Omaha, a 15.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Omaha +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | β |
Expect 7.3Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US, OMAHA #1, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 488,197 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $72,708 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 25.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 2.44 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 15.5% lower in Omaha than Santa Maria.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Omaha MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 58,590 | $42,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 45,020 | $30,130 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 43,680 | $35,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 41,730 | $39,370 |
| Management Occupations | 37,950 | $104,990 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Nebraska
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nebraska'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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
- Tornado season peaks May through July β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Nebraska after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Omaha, NE from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 1676 mi and the route typically takes 29h 33m via I 70 and I 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Omaha compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $294,189 in Omaha vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 55.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Omaha compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,580 in the Omaha MSA vs $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA, on total employment of 483,970 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 Omaha?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $72,708 in Omaha vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 14.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Omaha more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Omaha is 15.5% lower than Santa Maria (91.911 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 Omaha?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1676 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· Omaha, NE.