Moving from Huntington Beach, CA to Santa Maria, CA
The 191 mi from Huntington Beach to Santa Maria translate to about 3h 58m 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.
191 mi Β· 3h 58m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, I 405, CA 154 |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntington Beach | 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 Huntington Beach (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 Huntington Beach on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Huntington Beach +2.8%, Santa Maria +1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Huntington Beach | 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" |
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: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntington Beach | Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 109,880 |
| Median household income | $119,885 | $84,617 |
| Median age | 43.4 | 29.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 11.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 3.78 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 4.2% between Huntington Beach and Santa Maria (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 Huntington Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,011 in Santa Maria vs $1,366,658 in Huntington Beach β a 51.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Santa Maria compare to Huntington Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA vs $50,490 in the Huntington Beach 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 far is Santa Maria, CA from Huntington Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 191 mi and the route typically takes 3h 58m via US 101 and I 405. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Huntington Beach vs Santa Maria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,617 in Santa Maria vs $119,885 in Huntington Beach β a 29.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Santa Maria more expensive than Huntington Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Maria is 4.2% lower than Huntington Beach (108.798 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Huntington Beach 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 191 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 Huntington Beach.
City profiles: Huntington Beach, CA Β· Santa Maria, CA.