Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Maria, CA
Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Maria, CA covers 193 mi and about 3h 58m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
193 mi Β· 3h 58m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 134, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Corona, Orange |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | 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 |
Santa Maria and Santa Ana are close on the overall BEA RPP (113.566 vs 108.798); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Santa Maria typical home at $658,011 is 4.2% under Santa Ana at $866,066 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Santa Maria +1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Ana | Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 13.3" |
Santa Maria is 7.5Β°F cooler on the annual average (66.1Β°F vs 58.6Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 109,880 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $84,617 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 29.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 11.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 3.78 |
Household income lines up β $88,354 vs $84,617 on ACS 5-year 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 Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,011 in Santa Maria vs $866,066 in Santa Ana β a 24.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Santa Maria more expensive than Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Maria is 4.2% lower than Santa Ana (108.798 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Santa Maria compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Ana 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 does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Santa Maria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,617 in Santa Maria vs $88,354 in Santa Ana β a 4.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Santa Maria, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 193 mi and the route typically takes 3h 58m 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 Santa Ana 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 193 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 Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA Β· Santa Maria, CA.