Moving from Rialto, CA to Richmond, CA
It is a 431 mi drive, roughly 8h 3m, between Rialto, CA and Richmond, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
431 mi · 8h 3m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 580, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Fairfield, Berkeley, Oakland, Concord |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rialto | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 8.6% above Rialto — 106.442 → 115.613 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Rialto to Richmond — $588,566 vs $606,427 (2026-03).
YoY change: Rialto -0.8%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rialto | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 71°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.9" | 24.4" |
Annual temperature drops 7.8°F moving to Richmond per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Richmond — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rialto | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,866 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $85,521 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.2% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.87 | 2.85 |
Households in Richmond earn about 8.6% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Rialto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $588,566 in Rialto — a 3.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Richmond, CA from Rialto, CA?
The driving distance is 431 mi and the route typically takes 8h 3m via I 5 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Rialto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $47,450 in the Rialto MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Richmond more expensive than Rialto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 8.6% higher than Rialto (115.613 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Rialto to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 431 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Rialto vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $85,521 in Rialto — a 5.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Rialto and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.8°F in Richmond vs 66.6°F in Rialto (7.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 24.4 in vs 9.9 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rialto.
City profiles: Rialto, CA · Richmond, CA.