Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Costa Mesa, CA
Relocating between Santa Maria, CA and Costa Mesa, CA is a 196 mi drive β 4h 2m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
196 mi Β· 4h 2m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, I 405, CA 154 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Corona, Huntington Beach |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Maria | Costa Mesa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.798 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 149.807 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.394 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Santa Maria and Costa Mesa sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $658,011 in Santa Maria to $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa, a 4.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Costa Mesa +3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 79Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 11.2" |
Expect 6.3Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US, SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 110,538 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $110,073 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 30.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 2.66 |
Expect median household income to rise 4.4% β $84,617 β $110,073 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Costa Mesa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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: Costa Mesa sees only 11.2 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
When is the best time to move from Santa Maria to Costa Mesa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 196 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Costa Mesa compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA vs $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 202,410 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Costa Mesa, CA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 196 mi and the route typically takes 4h 2m via US 101 and I 405. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Costa Mesa compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 114.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Maria vs Costa Mesa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $110,073 in Costa Mesa vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 30.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Costa Mesa more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Costa Mesa is 4.4% higher than Santa Maria (113.566 vs 108.798, 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 Santa Maria.
City profiles: Santa Maria, CA Β· Costa Mesa, CA.