Moving from Fresno, CA to El Monte, CA
Moving from Fresno, CA to El Monte, CA covers 235 mi and about 4h 26m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
235 mi · 4h 26m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 5, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Clovis, Visalia, Bakersfield, Lancaster, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fresno | El Monte | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.158 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 161.01 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.725 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 102.158 in Fresno to 113.566 in El Monte, a 11.2% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in El Monte: 11.2% above Fresno on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fresno +0.1%, El Monte +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fresno | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 15.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in El Monte — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US, SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fresno | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 107,066 |
| Median household income | $66,804 | $64,484 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.03 | 3.62 |
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 El Monte MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — 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
When is the best time to move from Fresno to El Monte?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% 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 — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in El Monte compare to Fresno?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the El Monte MSA vs $44,530 in the Fresno MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 408,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Fresno and El Monte?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in El Monte vs 65.0°F in Fresno (1.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 15.7 in vs 11.0 in.
Is El Monte more expensive than Fresno?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Monte is 11.2% higher than Fresno (113.566 vs 102.158, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in El Monte compared to Fresno?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $765,444 in El Monte vs $391,328 in Fresno — a 95.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fresno vs El Monte?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,484 in El Monte vs $66,804 in Fresno — a 3.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is El Monte, CA from Fresno, CA?
The driving distance is 235 mi and the route typically takes 4h 26m via CA 99 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fresno.
City profiles: Fresno, CA · El Monte, CA.