Moving from Rialto, CA to El Monte, CA
The drive from Rialto to El Monte covers 41 mi in about 53 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
41 mi · 53 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 210, I 210, I 605 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Glendale, Torrance, Pasadena, Downey |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rialto | El Monte | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 106.442 in Rialto to 113.566 in El Monte, a 6.7% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in El Monte: 6.7% above Rialto on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Rialto -0.8%, El Monte +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rialto | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.9" | 15.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in El Monte — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US, SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rialto | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,866 | 107,066 |
| Median household income | $85,521 | $64,484 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.87 | 3.62 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 6.7% between Rialto and El Monte (ACS 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
Is El Monte more expensive than Rialto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Monte is 6.7% higher than Rialto (113.566 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is El Monte, CA from Rialto, CA?
The driving distance is 41 mi and the route typically takes 53 min via CA 210 and I 210. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Rialto 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 41 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Rialto and El Monte?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in El Monte vs 66.6°F in Rialto (0.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 15.7 in vs 9.9 in.
How does household income compare in Rialto vs El Monte?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,484 in El Monte vs $85,521 in Rialto — a 24.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in El Monte compared to Rialto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $765,444 in El Monte vs $588,566 in Rialto — a 30.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in El Monte compare to Rialto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the El Monte MSA vs $47,450 in the Rialto MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rialto.
City profiles: Rialto, CA · El Monte, CA.