Moving from Palmdale, CA to El Monte, CA
Relocating between Palmdale, CA and El Monte, CA is a 58 mi drive — 1h 30m 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.
58 mi · 1h 30m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | N3, FH 59, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Burbank, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palmdale | 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 |
Palmdale and El Monte sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $501,257 in Palmdale to $765,444 in El Monte, a 0.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, El Monte +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Palmdale | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | 15.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 63.6°F vs 66.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: El Monte sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PALMDALE, CA US, SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 107,066 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $64,484 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 3.62 |
Expect median household income to fall 0.0% — $81,151 → $64,484 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
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 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
- 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
When is the best time to move from Palmdale to El Monte?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 58 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Palmdale vs El Monte?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,484 in El Monte vs $81,151 in Palmdale — a 20.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is El Monte, CA from Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 58 mi and the route typically takes 1h 30m via N3 and FH 59. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in El Monte compare to Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the El Monte MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale 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 much do homes cost in El Monte compared to Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $765,444 in El Monte vs $501,257 in Palmdale — a 52.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Palmdale and El Monte?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in El Monte vs 63.6°F in Palmdale (2.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 15.7 in vs 7.3 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA · El Monte, CA.