Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Clarita, CA
The 141 mi from Santa Maria to Santa Clarita translate to about 3h 3m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
141 mi Β· 3h 3m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 126, CA 154 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Glendale, Palmdale, Pasadena, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Maria | Santa Clarita | 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 Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita is 4.4% above Santa Maria β $658,011 vs $802,016 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 16.8" |
Climate warms by 6.9Β°F on the annual average β 58.6Β°F β 65.5Β°F.
Santa Clarita 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, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 3.04 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 4.4% between Santa Maria and Santa Clarita (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita 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.
When is the best time to move from Santa Maria to Santa Clarita?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 141 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 Santa Clarita compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 21.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Maria vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 41.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Santa Clarita, CA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 141 mi and the route typically takes 3h 3m via US 101 and CA 126. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita 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 Β· Santa Clarita, CA.