Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Memphis, TN
It is 1928 mi and 33h 46m from Santa Maria to Memphis β a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1928 mi Β· 33h 46m by car Β· TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 66 HIST, CA 58 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Maria | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.798 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 149.807 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.394 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 15.3% cheaper overall in Memphis than Santa Maria on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
15.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 54.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Memphis gets around 2.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 2.47 |
Expect median household income to fall 15.3% β $84,617 β $51,211 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Memphis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 106,230 | $38,330 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 83,120 | $40,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 51,140 | $28,230 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 50,680 | $32,680 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 39,480 | $73,120 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Memphis average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Memphis averages 54.9 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 78.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Santa Maria to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1928 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 Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 39.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Memphis more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 15.3% lower than Santa Maria (92.179 vs 108.798, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Memphis compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 202,410 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Memphis, TN from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 1928 mi and the route typically takes 33h 46m via I 40 and US 66 HIST. The trip crosses 7 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· Memphis, TN.