Moving from Lancaster, CA to El Monte, CA
The 83 mi from Lancaster to El Monte translate to about 1h 38m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
83 mi Β· 1h 38m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 14, CA 138, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Palmdale, Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lancaster | El Monte | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in El Monte and Lancaster 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 El Monte is 0.0% above Lancaster β $465,847 vs $765,444 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Lancaster -2.1%, El Monte +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lancaster | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.8" | 15.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Lancaster (62.1Β°F) and El Monte (66.0Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
El Monte 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: LANCASTER WM J FOX FLD, CA US, SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lancaster | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 107,066 |
| Median household income | $76,083 | $64,484 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.7% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 3.62 |
Income steps down 0.0%: $76,083 in Lancaster vs $64,484 in El Monte.
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 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
- 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 does the job market in El Monte compare to Lancaster?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the El Monte MSA vs $50,490 in the Lancaster MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Lancaster vs El Monte?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,484 in El Monte vs $76,083 in Lancaster β a 15.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Lancaster to El Monte?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 83 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in El Monte compared to Lancaster?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $765,444 in El Monte vs $465,847 in Lancaster β a 64.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is El Monte, CA from Lancaster, CA?
The driving distance is 83 mi and the route typically takes 1h 38m via CA 14 and CA 138. 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 Lancaster.
City profiles: Lancaster, CA Β· El Monte, CA.