Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Ontario, CA
The 197 mi from Santa Maria to Ontario translate to about 4h 4m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
197 mi Β· 4h 4m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 134, US 101, CA 154 |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, San Bernardino, Fontana, Moreno Valley, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Maria | Ontario | 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 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Santa Maria (108.798) and Ontario (106.442) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up β $658,011 vs $672,742 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Ontario -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 11.6" |
Climate warms by 8.2Β°F on the annual average β 58.6Β°F β 66.8Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 178,347 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $82,806 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 3.39 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Ontario 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 Ontario average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Ontario sees only 11.6 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 Ontario, CA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 197 mi and the route typically takes 4h 4m via CA 134 and US 101. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Ontario more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ontario 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 the job market in Ontario compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Ontario 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.
How does household income compare in Santa Maria vs Ontario?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,806 in Ontario vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 2.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Santa Maria to Ontario?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 197 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 Ontario compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $672,742 in Ontario vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 2.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
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· Ontario, CA.