Moving from Moreno Valley, CA to Mesquite, TX
It is 1391 mi between Moreno Valley and Mesquite β roughly 23h 51m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1391 mi Β· 23h 51m 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
| Moreno Valley | Mesquite | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 106.442 vs 103.09 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 3.1% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $551,284 to $262,121 moving to Mesquite.
YoY change: Moreno Valley -1.5%, Mesquite -4.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Moreno Valley | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 10.7" | 40.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Moreno Valley (63.3Β°F) and Mesquite (66.0Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MARCH AFB, CA US, FERRIS, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Moreno Valley | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 148,848 |
| Median household income | $87,477 | $71,843 |
| Median age | 32.1 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.1% | 12.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.84 | 2.96 |
Households in Mesquite earn about 3.1% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mesquite MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Mesquite average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Mesquite compared to Moreno Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $262,121 in Mesquite vs $551,284 in Moreno Valley β a 52.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Mesquite more expensive than Moreno Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mesquite is 3.1% lower than Moreno Valley (103.09 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Mesquite, TX from Moreno Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 1391 mi and the route typically takes 23h 51m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Moreno Valley vs Mesquite?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,843 in Mesquite vs $87,477 in Moreno Valley β a 17.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Mesquite compare to Moreno Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Mesquite MSA vs $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Moreno Valley to Mesquite?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1391 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Moreno Valley.
City profiles: Moreno Valley, CA Β· Mesquite, TX.