Moving from Oxnard, CA to Santa Maria, CA
Moving from Oxnard, CA to Santa Maria, CA covers 99 mi and about 2h 9m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
99 mi · 2h 9m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 154 |
| Major cities en route | Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, San Buenaventura |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oxnard | Santa Maria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 108.798 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 149.807 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 151.394 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Santa Maria and Oxnard is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Santa Maria is 1.6% below Oxnard ($658,011 vs $767,291 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Oxnard -0.4%, Santa Maria +1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Oxnard | Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 73°F | 73°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 12.9" | 13.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Oxnard (61.2°F) and Santa Maria (58.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OXNARD VENTURA CO AP, CA US, SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oxnard | Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,014 | 109,880 |
| Median household income | $93,372 | $84,617 |
| Median age | 34 | 29.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.4% | 11.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.88 | 3.78 |
Median household income in Santa Maria is 1.6% below Oxnard ($93,372 → $84,617, 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 20–30% 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 — 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
When is the best time to move from Oxnard to Santa Maria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 99 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Santa Maria compare to Oxnard?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA vs $48,380 in the Oxnard MSA, on total employment of 202,410 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Santa Maria, CA from Oxnard, CA?
The driving distance is 99 mi and the route typically takes 2h 9m via US 101 and CA 154. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Oxnard vs Santa Maria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,617 in Santa Maria vs $93,372 in Oxnard — a 9.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Santa Maria compared to Oxnard?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,011 in Santa Maria vs $767,291 in Oxnard — a 14.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Santa Maria more expensive than Oxnard?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Maria is 1.6% lower than Oxnard (108.798 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oxnard.
City profiles: Oxnard, CA · Santa Maria, CA.