Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Palmdale, CA
Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Palmdale, CA covers 173 mi and about 3h 43m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
173 mi Β· 3h 43m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 126, CA 154 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Pasadena, El Monte, Glendale, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Maria | Palmdale | 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 |
Overall cost of living in Palmdale and Santa Maria is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Palmdale is 4.4% below Santa Maria β $658,011 vs $501,257 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Palmdale -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 7.3" |
Palmdale runs 5.0Β°F warmer on the annual average (58.6Β°F vs 63.6Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Palmdale gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US, PALMDALE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 165,487 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $81,151 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 33.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 3.56 |
Median household incomes in Santa Maria ($84,617) and Palmdale ($81,151) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palmdale 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Palmdale average 98Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Palmdale sees only 7.3 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 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 household income compare in Santa Maria vs Palmdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,151 in Palmdale vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 4.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Palmdale compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Palmdale 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.
Is Palmdale more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palmdale 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 Palmdale, CA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 173 mi and the route typically takes 3h 43m via US 101 and CA 126. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Santa Maria to Palmdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 173 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Palmdale compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $501,257 in Palmdale vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 23.8% 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· Palmdale, CA.