Moving from Allen, TX to Moreno Valley, CA
The drive from Allen, TX to Moreno Valley, CA runs 1397 mi β about 23h 55m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1397 mi Β· 23h 55m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, San Bernardino, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allen | Moreno Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Moreno Valley and Allen is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Moreno Valley is 3.3% above Allen ($551,284 vs $493,532 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Allen -6.4%, Moreno Valley -1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Allen | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 10.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Allen (65.0Β°F) and Moreno Valley (63.3Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCKINNEY MUNI AP, TX US, MARCH AFB, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allen | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 210,378 |
| Median household income | $129,130 | $87,477 |
| Median age | 38.5 | 32.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.6% | 12.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 3.84 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 3.3% between Allen and Moreno Valley (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Moreno Valley 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.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Moreno Valley 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: Moreno Valley sees only 10.7 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Moreno Valley compare to Allen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA vs $48,440 in the Allen MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Allen vs Moreno Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,477 in Moreno Valley vs $129,130 in Allen β a 32.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Allen to Moreno Valley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1397 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Moreno Valley, CA from Allen, TX?
The driving distance is 1397 mi and the route typically takes 23h 55m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Moreno Valley more expensive than Allen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Moreno Valley is 3.3% higher than Allen (106.442 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Moreno Valley compared to Allen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $551,284 in Moreno Valley vs $493,532 in Allen β a 11.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Allen.
City profiles: Allen, TX Β· Moreno Valley, CA.