Moving from Rialto, CA to Irvine, CA
Moving from Rialto, CA to Irvine, CA covers 51 mi and about 1h 8m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
51 mi · 1h 8m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 91, CA 261 TOLL, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Costa Mesa, Long Beach, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rialto | Irvine | 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 |
Overall cost of living in Irvine is 6.7% higher than Rialto, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Irvine is 6.7% above Rialto — $588,566 vs $1,557,982 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Rialto -0.8%, Irvine -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rialto | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 85°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.9" | 14.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Rialto (66.6°F) and Irvine (64.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Irvine 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, TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rialto | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,866 | 308,160 |
| Median household income | $85,521 | $129,647 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.2% | 39.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.87 | 2.75 |
Median household income in Irvine is 6.7% above Rialto ($85,521 vs $129,647, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irvine 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
- Dry climate: Irvine sees only 14.1 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Rialto and Irvine?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.9°F in Irvine vs 66.6°F in Rialto (1.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.1 in vs 9.9 in.
How far is Irvine, CA from Rialto, CA?
The driving distance is 51 mi and the route typically takes 1h 8m via CA 91 and CA 261 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Rialto to Irvine?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 51 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Irvine compare to Rialto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Irvine 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.
How does household income compare in Rialto vs Irvine?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,647 in Irvine vs $85,521 in Rialto — a 51.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Irvine more expensive than Rialto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irvine 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 much do homes cost in Irvine compared to Rialto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,557,982 in Irvine vs $588,566 in Rialto — a 164.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rialto.
City profiles: Rialto, CA · Irvine, CA.