Moving from Irvine, CA to Rialto, CA
Moving from Irvine, CA to Rialto, CA covers 51 mi and about 1h 8m 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.
51 mi · 1h 8m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 91, CA 261 TOLL, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Costa Mesa, Long Beach, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Irvine | Rialto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Rialto are 6.3% below Irvine — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Rialto typical home at $588,566 is 6.3% under Irvine at $1,557,982 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Irvine -0.8%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Irvine | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 85°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 9.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 64.9°F vs 66.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Rialto sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Irvine | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $129,647 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 33.9 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 39.4% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 3.87 |
Median household income in Rialto is 6.3% below Irvine ($129,647 vs $85,521, ACS 5-year 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 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Rialto average 94°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 — 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 Irvine, CA?
The driving distance is 51 mi and the route typically takes 1h 8m via CA 91 and CA 261 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Rialto compare to Irvine?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto MSA vs $50,490 in the Irvine MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Irvine vs Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $129,647 in Irvine — a 34.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Rialto compared to Irvine?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $1,557,982 in Irvine — a 62.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Irvine and Rialto?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Rialto vs 64.9°F in Irvine (1.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.9 in vs 14.1 in.
Is Rialto more expensive than Irvine?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rialto is 6.3% lower than Irvine (106.442 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Irvine to Rialto?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 51 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Irvine.
City profiles: Irvine, CA · Rialto, CA.