Moving from Rialto, CA to Houston, TX
Relocating 1496 mi from Rialto to Houston is a 25h 31m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1496 mi · 25h 31m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rialto | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Expect about 7.3% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Houston at 98.629 vs Rialto at 106.442.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.3% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $588,566 to $264,336 moving to Houston.
YoY change: Rialto -0.8%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rialto | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.9" | 54.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Rialto (66.6°F) and Houston (70.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Houston gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rialto | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,866 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $85,521 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.2% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.87 | 2.51 |
Expect median household income to fall 7.3% — $85,521 → $62,894 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 Houston average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Rialto and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 66.6°F in Rialto (4.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 9.9 in.
Is Houston more expensive than Rialto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 7.3% lower than Rialto (98.629 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Houston, TX from Rialto, CA?
The driving distance is 1496 mi and the route typically takes 25h 31m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Rialto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $47,450 in the Rialto MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Rialto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $588,566 in Rialto — a 55.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Rialto vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $85,521 in Rialto — a 26.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Rialto to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1496 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Rialto.
City profiles: Rialto, CA · Houston, TX.