Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Rialto, CA
Relocating between Santa Maria, CA and Rialto, CA is a 206 mi drive β 4h 12m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
206 mi Β· 4h 12m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 154, CA 210 |
| 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 | Rialto | 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%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 9.9" |
Expect 8.0Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Rialto 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, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 3.87 |
Median household incomes in Santa Maria ($84,617) and Rialto ($85,521) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rialto 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 Rialto 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: Rialto sees only 9.9 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 Rialto, CA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 206 mi and the route typically takes 4h 12m via US 101 and CA 154. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Rialto compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 10.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Maria vs Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 1.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Santa Maria to Rialto?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 206 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Rialto more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rialto 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 Rialto compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto 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· Rialto, CA.