Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Goodyear, AZ
Relocating 522 mi from Santa Maria to Goodyear is a 10h 9m drive through 2 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
522 mi Β· 10h 9m by car Β· CA β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 101, CA 154 |
| Major cities en route | San Buenaventura, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Maria | Goodyear | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.798 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 149.807 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.394 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Expect about 5.0% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Goodyear at 103.316 vs Santa Maria at 108.798.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 5.0% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $658,011 to $469,424 moving to Goodyear.
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Goodyear -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 107Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 7.4" |
Expect 15.3Β°F warmer on average per year β plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Goodyear 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, LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 102,891 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $101,814 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 40.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 2.87 |
Expect median household income to rise 5.0% β $84,617 β $101,814 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Goodyear MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Goodyear average 107Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Goodyear sees only 7.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.3Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Santa Maria to Goodyear?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 522 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Goodyear, AZ from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 522 mi and the route typically takes 10h 9m via I 10 and US 101. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Santa Maria vs Goodyear?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $101,814 in Goodyear vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 20.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Goodyear more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Goodyear is 5.0% lower than Santa Maria (103.316 vs 108.798, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Goodyear compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,424 in Goodyear vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 28.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Goodyear compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA vs $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 202,410 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
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· Goodyear, AZ.