Moving from Riverside, CA to El Paso, TX
A move from Riverside, CA to El Paso, TX covers 752 mi and around 13h 21m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
752 mi · 13h 21m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 95, CA 60 |
| Major cities en route | Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Riverside | El Paso | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 89.912 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 82.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 71.248 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in El Paso are 15.5% below Riverside — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: El Paso typical home at $234,775 is 15.5% under Riverside at $646,784 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Riverside -1.4%, El Paso +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Riverside | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 2.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.0" | 8.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.9°F vs 66.2°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 2.8 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US, EL PASO INTL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Riverside | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 678,147 |
| Median household income | $88,575 | $58,734 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 18.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.42 | 2.8 |
Median household income in El Paso is 15.5% below Riverside ($88,575 vs $58,734, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Paso MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 44,500 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 34,790 | $23,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 32,160 | $33,850 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,050 | $28,800 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 23,040 | $61,670 |
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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- 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 El Paso average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: El Paso sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 El Paso compared to Riverside?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $234,775 in El Paso vs $646,784 in Riverside — a 63.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is El Paso more expensive than Riverside?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Paso is 15.5% lower than Riverside (89.912 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is El Paso, TX from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance is 752 mi and the route typically takes 13h 21m via I 10 and US 95. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Riverside to El Paso?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 752 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Riverside and El Paso?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.2°F in El Paso vs 66.9°F in Riverside (0.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 10.0 in.
How does household income compare in Riverside vs El Paso?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,734 in El Paso vs $88,575 in Riverside — a 33.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in El Paso compare to Riverside?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $36,000 in the El Paso MSA vs $47,450 in the Riverside MSA, on total employment of 323,310 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Riverside.
City profiles: Riverside, CA · El Paso, TX.