Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Fremont, CA
It is a 229 mi drive, roughly 4h 33m, between Santa Maria, CA and Fremont, 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
| Santa Maria | Fremont | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.798 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 149.807 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.394 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 6.3% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.3% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $658,011 to $1,543,132 moving to Fremont.
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Fremont -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 14.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Santa Maria (58.6Β°F) and Fremont (59.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Fremont gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US, NEWARK, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 228,518 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $176,350 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 38.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 2.97 |
Fremont households earn about 6.3% more than Santa Maria at the median β $84,617 β $176,350 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fremont MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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: Fremont sees only 14.4 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 the job market in Fremont compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Fremont MSA vs $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 202,410 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Santa Maria to Fremont?
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 Fremont compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,543,132 in Fremont vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 134.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Fremont, CA from Santa Maria, 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.
Is Fremont more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fremont is 6.3% higher than Santa Maria (115.613 vs 108.798, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Santa Maria vs Fremont?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $176,350 in Fremont vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 108.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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· Fremont, CA.