Moving from Riverside, CA to El Monte, CA
Moving from Riverside, CA to El Monte, CA is a 45 mi drive, about 58 min by car. This is a local relocation — same-day moves are typical — but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
45 mi · 58 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 71, CA 91, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Menifee, Rialto, Fontana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Riverside | El Monte | 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 |
Moderate COL step-up: 6.7% pricier overall in El Monte than Riverside on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 6.7% higher in El Monte than Riverside as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Riverside -1.4%, El Monte +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Riverside | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.0" | 15.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.9°F vs 66.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: El Monte sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US, SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Riverside | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 107,066 |
| Median household income | $88,575 | $64,484 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.42 | 3.62 |
Median household income in El Monte is 6.7% below Riverside ($88,575 vs $64,484, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Monte 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
- 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 El Monte compared to Riverside?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $765,444 in El Monte vs $646,784 in Riverside — a 18.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Riverside vs El Monte?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,484 in El Monte vs $88,575 in Riverside — a 27.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Riverside and El Monte?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in El Monte vs 66.9°F in Riverside (0.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 15.7 in vs 10.0 in.
How does the job market in El Monte compare to Riverside?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the El Monte MSA vs $47,450 in the Riverside 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.
Is El Monte more expensive than Riverside?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Monte is 6.7% higher than Riverside (113.566 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is El Monte, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance is 45 mi and the route typically takes 58 min via CA 71 and CA 91. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Riverside to El Monte?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 45 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 Riverside.
City profiles: Riverside, CA · El Monte, CA.