Moving from San Bernardino, CA to El Monte, CA
Moving from San Bernardino, CA to El Monte, CA is a 46 mi drive, about 57 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.
46 mi · 57 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 210, I 605 |
| Major cities en route | Moreno Valley, Victorville, Riverside, Rialto, Fontana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Bernardino | 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 |
BEA RPP moves from 106.442 in San Bernardino to 113.566 in El Monte, a 6.7% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in El Monte: 6.7% above San Bernardino on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Bernardino -0.3%, El Monte +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Bernardino | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.9" | 15.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in El Monte — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: REDLANDS, CA US, SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Bernardino | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,774 | 107,066 |
| Median household income | $63,988 | $64,484 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.51 | 3.62 |
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 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
What is the climate difference between San Bernardino and El Monte?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in El Monte vs 65.2°F in San Bernardino (0.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 15.7 in vs 12.9 in.
When is the best time to move from San Bernardino 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 46 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in El Monte compared to San Bernardino?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $765,444 in El Monte vs $487,988 in San Bernardino — a 56.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in San Bernardino vs El Monte?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,484 in El Monte vs $63,988 in San Bernardino — a 0.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in El Monte compare to San Bernardino?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the El Monte MSA vs $47,450 in the San Bernardino 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.
How far is El Monte, CA from San Bernardino, CA?
The driving distance is 46 mi and the route typically takes 57 min via CA 210 and I 605. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is El Monte more expensive than San Bernardino?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Monte is 6.7% higher than San Bernardino (113.566 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Bernardino.
City profiles: San Bernardino, CA · El Monte, CA.