Moving from Victorville, CA to Santa Maria, CA
It is a 214 mi drive, roughly 4h 40m, between Victorville, CA and Santa Maria, 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.
214 mi Β· 4h 40m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 126, CA 154 |
| Major cities en route | San Bernardino, Fontana, Rialto, Rancho Cucamonga, Palmdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Victorville | Santa Maria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 108.798 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 149.807 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 151.394 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 106.442 vs 108.798 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 roughly 2.2% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $436,009 to $658,011 moving to Santa Maria.
YoY change: Victorville -1.2%, Santa Maria +1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Victorville | Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 33Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 5.6" | 13.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Victorville (61.9Β°F) and Santa Maria (58.6Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: VICTORVILLE, CA US, SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Victorville | Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,983 | 109,880 |
| Median household income | $70,663 | $84,617 |
| Median age | 32 | 29.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 8.3% | 11.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.63 | 3.78 |
Households in Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 23,340 | $35,370 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 21,000 | $48,900 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 15,770 | $37,820 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 13,920 | $66,060 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations | 13,560 | $36,290 |
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: Santa Maria sees only 13.3 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 Santa Maria, CA from Victorville, CA?
The driving distance is 214 mi and the route typically takes 4h 40m via US 101 and CA 126. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Victorville to Santa Maria?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 214 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Santa Maria more expensive than Victorville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Maria is 2.2% higher than Victorville (108.798 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Victorville vs Santa Maria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,617 in Santa Maria vs $70,663 in Victorville β a 19.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Santa Maria compared to Victorville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,011 in Santa Maria vs $436,009 in Victorville β a 50.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Santa Maria compare to Victorville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA vs $47,450 in the Victorville MSA, on total employment of 202,410 and 1,661,860 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 Victorville.
City profiles: Victorville, CA Β· Santa Maria, CA.