Moving from Moreno Valley, CA to San Mateo, CA
It is a 431 mi drive, roughly 8h 12m, between Moreno Valley, CA and San Mateo, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
431 mi Β· 8h 12m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 152, US 101 |
| Major cities en route | Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Riverside, San Bernardino |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Moreno Valley | San Mateo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
San Mateo runs about 8.6% more expensive overall than Moreno Valley β RPP 106.442 β 115.613.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $551,284 in Moreno Valley to $1,686,905 in San Mateo, a 8.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Moreno Valley -1.5%, San Mateo +0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Moreno Valley | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 10.7" | 19.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 63.3Β°F vs 58.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MARCH AFB, CA US, SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Moreno Valley | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 103,555 |
| Median household income | $87,477 | $152,669 |
| Median age | 32.1 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.1% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.84 | 2.6 |
San Mateo households earn about 8.6% more than Moreno Valley at the median β $87,477 β $152,669 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Mateo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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 household income compare in Moreno Valley vs San Mateo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $152,669 in San Mateo vs $87,477 in Moreno Valley β a 74.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in San Mateo compared to Moreno Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,686,905 in San Mateo vs $551,284 in Moreno Valley β a 206.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is San Mateo more expensive than Moreno Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Mateo is 8.6% higher than Moreno Valley (115.613 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Moreno Valley to San Mateo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 431 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 San Mateo compare to Moreno Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA vs $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is San Mateo, CA from Moreno Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 431 mi and the route typically takes 8h 12m via I 5 and CA 152. 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 Moreno Valley.
City profiles: Moreno Valley, CA Β· San Mateo, CA.