Moving from Rialto, CA to Santa Clarita, CA
It is a 80 mi drive, roughly 1h 38m, between Rialto, CA and Santa Clarita, 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.
80 mi · 1h 38m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 210, CA 210, CA 14 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Palmdale, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rialto | Santa Clarita | 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 prices come in 6.7% above Rialto — 106.442 → 113.566 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.7% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Rialto -0.8%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rialto | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.9" | 16.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Santa Clarita — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rialto | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,866 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $85,521 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.2% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.87 | 3.04 |
Santa Clarita households earn about 6.7% more than Rialto at the median — $85,521 → $119,926 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clarita 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Santa Clarita average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Rialto to Santa Clarita?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 80 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Rialto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita 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.
What is the climate difference between Rialto and Santa Clarita?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.5°F in Santa Clarita vs 66.6°F in Rialto (1.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.8 in vs 9.9 in.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clarita compared to Rialto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $588,566 in Rialto — a 36.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than Rialto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita, CA from Rialto, CA?
The driving distance is 80 mi and the route typically takes 1h 38m via I 210 and CA 210. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Rialto vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $85,521 in Rialto — a 40.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rialto.
City profiles: Rialto, CA · Santa Clarita, CA.