Moving from Riverside, CA to Irving, TX
A move from Riverside, CA to Irving, TX covers 1382 mi and around 23h 43m 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.
1382 mi · 23h 43m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Irvine, Ontario, Corona, Pomona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Riverside | Irving | 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 cost of living in Irving and Riverside is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Irving is 3.1% below Riverside — $646,784 vs $341,503 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Riverside -1.4%, Irving -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Riverside | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.0" | 37.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Riverside (66.9°F) and Irving (66.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Irving averages 1.6 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US, DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Riverside | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 255,036 |
| Median household income | $88,575 | $79,641 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 24.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.42 | 2.71 |
Median household income in Irving is 3.1% below Riverside ($88,575 → $79,641, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irving 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 — 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Irving average 96°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 Irving compared to Riverside?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $341,503 in Irving vs $646,784 in Riverside — a 47.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Riverside and Irving?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Irving vs 66.9°F in Riverside (0.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.6 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.0 in vs 10.0 in.
How far is Irving, TX from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance is 1382 mi and the route typically takes 23h 43m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Riverside to Irving?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1382 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Irving more expensive than Riverside?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irving is 3.1% lower than Riverside (103.09 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Riverside vs Irving?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,641 in Irving vs $88,575 in Riverside — a 10.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Irving compare to Riverside?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Irving MSA vs $47,450 in the Riverside 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Riverside.
City profiles: Riverside, CA · Irving, TX.