Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Rosa, CA
It is a 316 mi drive, roughly 6h 14m, between Santa Maria, CA and Santa Rosa, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
316 mi Β· 6h 14m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, I 880, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Richmond, Vallejo, Fairfield, Concord, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Maria | Santa Rosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.798 | 107.784 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 149.807 | 154.777 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.394 | 139.569 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 108.798 vs 107.784 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.9% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Santa Rosa -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 31.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Santa Maria (58.6Β°F) and Santa Rosa (59.0Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Santa Rosa 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, SANTA ROSA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 177,216 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $97,410 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 40.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 2.6 |
Households in Santa Rosa earn about 0.9% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Rosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,200 | $36,990 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 22,130 | $50,550 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,610 | $42,770 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,180 | $45,180 |
| Management Occupations | 14,030 | $119,330 |
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
- 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
When is the best time to move from Santa Maria to Santa Rosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 316 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Santa Maria vs Santa Rosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,410 in Santa Rosa vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 15.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Santa Rosa more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Rosa is 0.9% lower than Santa Maria (107.784 vs 108.798, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Santa Rosa, CA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 316 mi and the route typically takes 6h 14m via US 101 and I 880. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Santa Rosa compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA vs $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA, on total employment of 206,310 and 202,410 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Santa Rosa compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $718,726 in Santa Rosa vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 9.2% higher 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· Santa Rosa, CA.