Moving from Riverside, CA to Rialto, CA
Moving from Riverside, CA to Rialto, CA is a 15 mi drive, about 25 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.
15 mi · 25 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 91, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Irvine, Corona, Orange, Murrieta |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Riverside | Rialto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Riverside (106.442) and Rialto (106.442) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Rialto ZHVI at $588,566 is 0.0% below Riverside at $646,784.
YoY change: Riverside -1.4%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Riverside | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.0" | 9.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Rialto — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Riverside | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $88,575 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.42 | 3.87 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rialto MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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 Rialto average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Rialto sees only 9.9 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Riverside to Rialto?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 15 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Rialto, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance is 15 mi and the route typically takes 25 min via CA 91 and US 66 HIST. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Riverside vs Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $88,575 in Riverside — a 3.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Riverside and Rialto?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Rialto vs 66.9°F in Riverside (0.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.9 in vs 10.0 in.
How much do homes cost in Rialto compared to Riverside?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $646,784 in Riverside — a 9.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Rialto compare to Riverside?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto MSA vs $47,450 in the Riverside MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 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 · Rialto, CA.