Moving from Rialto, CA to Plano, TX
It is 1384 mi between Rialto and Plano β roughly 24h 9m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1384 mi Β· 24h 9m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, US 81 |
| Major cities en route | Garland, Frisco, Mckinney, Mesquite, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rialto | Plano | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 106.442 vs 103.09 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 3.1% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Rialto -0.8%, Plano -5.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rialto | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 9.9" | 41.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Rialto (66.6Β°F) and Plano (65.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rialto | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,866 | 287,339 |
| Median household income | $85,521 | $108,649 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 39.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.2% | 35.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.87 | 2.6 |
Plano households earn about 3.1% more than Rialto at the median β $85,521 β $108,649 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Plano MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- 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 Plano average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
How much do homes cost in Plano compared to Rialto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $498,989 in Plano vs $588,566 in Rialto β a 15.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Plano, TX from Rialto, CA?
The driving distance is 1384 mi and the route typically takes 24h 9m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Plano compare to Rialto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Plano MSA vs $47,450 in the Rialto MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Plano more expensive than Rialto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Plano is 3.1% lower than Rialto (103.09 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Rialto vs Plano?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $108,649 in Plano vs $85,521 in Rialto β a 27.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Rialto to Plano?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1384 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Β· Plano, TX.