Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Menifee, CA
It is a 235 mi drive, roughly 4h 50m, between Santa Maria, CA and Menifee, 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.
235 mi Β· 4h 50m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 154, I 15 |
| 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 | Menifee | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.798 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 149.807 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.394 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 108.798 vs 106.442 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 2.2% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Menifee -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | Menifee |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 11.7" |
Annual temperature rises 7.4Β°F moving to Menifee per NOAA normals.
Menifee 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, ELSINORE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Menifee |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 107,020 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $89,183 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 14.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 3.05 |
Households in Menifee earn about 2.2% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Menifee MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Menifee average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Menifee sees only 11.7 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 far is Menifee, CA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 235 mi and the route typically takes 4h 50m via US 101 and CA 154. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Santa Maria to Menifee?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 235 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 Menifee compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $584,525 in Menifee vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 11.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Menifee more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Menifee is 2.2% lower than Santa Maria (106.442 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 Menifee?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $89,183 in Menifee vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 5.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Menifee compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Menifee MSA vs $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 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· Menifee, CA.