Moving from Downey, CA to Santa Maria, CA
The 172 mi from Downey to Santa Maria translate to about 3h 33m 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.
172 mi Β· 3h 33m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 134, CA 154 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Torrance, Costa Mesa, Anaheim |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | 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 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Downey (113.566) and Santa Maria (108.798) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Santa Maria: 4.2% below Downey on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, Santa Maria +1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 13.3" |
Climate cools by 6.3Β°F on the annual average β 64.9Β°F β 58.6Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 109,880 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $84,617 |
| Median age | 37 | 29.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 11.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 3.78 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 the job market in Santa Maria compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey 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.
How much do homes cost in Santa Maria compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,011 in Santa Maria vs $888,710 in Downey β a 26.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Santa Maria, CA from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 172 mi and the route typically takes 3h 33m via US 101 and CA 134. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Downey 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 172 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Santa Maria more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Maria is 4.2% lower than Downey (108.798 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Downey vs Santa Maria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,617 in Santa Maria vs $87,400 in Downey β a 3.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Downey.
City profiles: Downey, CA Β· Santa Maria, CA.