Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Santa Maria, CA
Relocating between Costa Mesa, CA and Santa Maria, CA is a 196 mi drive β 4h 2m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
196 mi Β· 4h 2m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, I 405, CA 154 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Corona, Huntington Beach |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Santa Maria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 108.798 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 149.807 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 151.394 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 113.566 vs 108.798 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 4.2% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,413,322 to $658,011 moving to Santa Maria.
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Santa Maria +1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 13.3" |
Expect 6.3Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 109,880 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $84,617 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 29.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 11.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.78 |
Expect median household income to fall 4.2% β $110,073 β $84,617 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Santa Maria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,617 in Santa Maria vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 23.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Santa Maria compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 202,410 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Santa Maria more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Maria is 4.2% lower than Costa Mesa (108.798 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Santa Maria, CA from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 196 mi and the route typically takes 4h 2m via US 101 and I 405. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Santa Maria compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,011 in Santa Maria vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 53.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa 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 196 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 Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Santa Maria, CA.