Moving from Fremont, CA to Santa Maria, CA
It is a 229 mi drive, roughly 4h 33m, between Fremont, 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.
229 mi Β· 4h 33m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, I 880, CA 135 |
| Major cities en route | Oakland, Hayward, San Mateo, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fremont | Santa Maria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 108.798 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 149.807 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 151.394 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.9% cheaper overall in Santa Maria than Fremont on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.9% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fremont -4.0%, Santa Maria +1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fremont | Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.4" | 13.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWARK, CA US, SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fremont | Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,518 | 109,880 |
| Median household income | $176,350 | $84,617 |
| Median age | 38.8 | 29.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 11.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 3.78 |
Santa Maria households earn about 5.9% less than Fremont at the median β $176,350 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 does household income compare in Fremont vs Santa Maria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,617 in Santa Maria vs $176,350 in Fremont β a 52.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Santa Maria more expensive than Fremont?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Maria is 5.9% lower than Fremont (108.798 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Santa Maria, CA from Fremont, CA?
The driving distance is 229 mi and the route typically takes 4h 33m via US 101 and I 880. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fremont 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 229 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 Maria compared to Fremont?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,011 in Santa Maria vs $1,543,132 in Fremont β a 57.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Santa Maria compare to Fremont?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA vs $72,050 in the Fremont MSA, on total employment of 202,410 and 2,422,210 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 Fremont.
City profiles: Fremont, CA Β· Santa Maria, CA.