Moving from San Mateo, CA to Moreno Valley, CA
It is a 431 mi drive, roughly 8h 12m, between San Mateo, CA and Moreno Valley, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
431 mi Β· 8h 12m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 152, US 101 |
| Major cities en route | Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Riverside, San Bernardino |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | Moreno Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 7.9% moving from San Mateo to Moreno Valley β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,686,905 in San Mateo to $551,284 in Moreno Valley, a 7.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Moreno Valley -1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 10.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 58.7Β°F vs 63.3Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, MARCH AFB, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 210,378 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $87,477 |
| Median age | 38 | 32.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 12.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.84 |
Moreno Valley households earn about 7.9% less than San Mateo at the median β $152,669 β $87,477 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Moreno Valley 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 20β30% 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 Moreno Valley average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Moreno Valley sees only 10.7 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 β 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 does the job market in Moreno Valley compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Moreno Valley more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Moreno Valley is 7.9% lower than San Mateo (106.442 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Moreno Valley, CA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 431 mi and the route typically takes 8h 12m via I 5 and CA 152. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Moreno Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,477 in Moreno Valley vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 42.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Moreno Valley compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $551,284 in Moreno Valley vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 67.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Moreno Valley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 431 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Moreno Valley, CA.