Moving from Sunnyvale, CA to Santa Maria, CA
It is a 227 mi drive, roughly 4h 27m, between Sunnyvale, CA and Santa Maria, 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.
227 mi Β· 4h 27m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 135, CA 166 |
| Major cities en route | Oakland, Hayward, San Mateo, Fremont, Santa Clara |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sunnyvale | Santa Maria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 108.798 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 149.807 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 151.394 | 100.0 |
Sunnyvale and Santa Maria sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $2,168,909 in Sunnyvale to $658,011 in Santa Maria, a 1.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Sunnyvale -0.1%, Santa Maria +1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sunnyvale | Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 13.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 59.9Β°F vs 58.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, CA US, SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sunnyvale | Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 153,455 | 109,880 |
| Median household income | $181,862 | $84,617 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 29.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.3% | 11.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.61 | 3.78 |
Santa Maria households earn about 1.5% less than Sunnyvale at the median β $181,862 β $84,617 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Maria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 23,340 | $35,370 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 21,000 | $48,900 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 15,770 | $37,820 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 13,920 | $66,060 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations | 13,560 | $36,290 |
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
- Dry climate: Santa Maria sees only 13.3 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 much do homes cost in Santa Maria compared to Sunnyvale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,011 in Santa Maria vs $2,168,909 in Sunnyvale β a 69.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Santa Maria compare to Sunnyvale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA vs $81,470 in the Sunnyvale MSA, on total employment of 202,410 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Santa Maria, CA from Sunnyvale, CA?
The driving distance is 227 mi and the route typically takes 4h 27m via US 101 and CA 135. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Santa Maria more expensive than Sunnyvale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Maria is 1.5% lower than Sunnyvale (108.798 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Sunnyvale vs Santa Maria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,617 in Santa Maria vs $181,862 in Sunnyvale β a 53.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Sunnyvale to Santa Maria?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 227 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 Sunnyvale.
City profiles: Sunnyvale, CA Β· Santa Maria, CA.