Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 154 mi and about 3h 12m 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.
154 mi Β· 3h 12m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 154, I 405 |
| Major cities en route | Fullerton, Pasadena, Downey, West Covina, El Monte |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Maria | Los Angeles | 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 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Santa Maria (108.798) and Los Angeles (113.566) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Los Angeles: 4.4% above Santa Maria on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 48Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 14.1" |
Los Angeles runs 5.2Β°F warmer on the annual average (58.6Β°F vs 63.8Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Los Angeles β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Los Angeles is 4.4% below Santa Maria ($84,617 β $80,366, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles 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: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 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 Los Angeles compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles 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 much do homes cost in Los Angeles compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 44.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles 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.
When is the best time to move from Santa Maria to Los Angeles?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 154 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Santa Maria vs Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 5.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Los Angeles, CA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 154 mi and the route typically takes 3h 12m via US 101 and CA 154. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
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· Los Angeles, CA.