Moving from Moreno Valley, CA to Sacramento, CA
Relocating between Moreno Valley, CA and Sacramento, CA is a 448 mi drive β 8h 23m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
448 mi Β· 8h 23m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Roseville, Elk Grove, Antioch, Stockton, Modesto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Moreno Valley | Sacramento | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 106.442 vs 106.67 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 around 0.2% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Moreno Valley -1.5%, Sacramento -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Moreno Valley | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.7" | 19.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Moreno Valley (63.3Β°F) and Sacramento (63.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Sacramento 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: MARCH AFB, CA US, SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Moreno Valley | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 524,802 |
| Median household income | $87,477 | $83,753 |
| Median age | 32.1 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.1% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.84 | 2.63 |
Median household incomes in Moreno Valley ($87,477) and Sacramento ($83,753) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sacramento MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Sacramento average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Moreno Valley to Sacramento?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 448 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Sacramento compare to Moreno Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA vs $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Moreno Valley vs Sacramento?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,753 in Sacramento vs $87,477 in Moreno Valley β a 4.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Sacramento compared to Moreno Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $479,766 in Sacramento vs $551,284 in Moreno Valley β a 13.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Sacramento, CA from Moreno Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 448 mi and the route typically takes 8h 23m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Sacramento more expensive than Moreno Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sacramento is 0.2% higher than Moreno Valley (106.67 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
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· Sacramento, CA.