Moving from Seattle, WA to Moreno Valley, CA
The drive from Seattle, WA to Moreno Valley, CA runs 1200 mi β about 22h 51m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1200 mi Β· 22h 51m by car Β· WA β OR β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Bellevue, Renton, Kent, Tacoma |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Moreno Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Seattle (111.133) and Moreno Valley (106.442) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Moreno Valley: 4.2% below Seattle on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Moreno Valley -1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Seattle | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 10.7" |
Climate warms by 10.1Β°F on the annual average β 53.2Β°F β 63.3Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, MARCH AFB, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 210,378 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $87,477 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 32.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 12.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 3.84 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 4.2% between Seattle and Moreno Valley (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.
Moving between Washington and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.1Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Moreno Valley, CA from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 1200 mi and the route typically takes 22h 51m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Moreno Valley compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $551,284 in Moreno Valley vs $868,680 in Seattle β a 36.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Moreno Valley more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Moreno Valley is 4.2% lower than Seattle (106.442 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Seattle 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 1200 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Moreno Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,477 in Moreno Valley vs $121,984 in Seattle β a 28.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Moreno Valley compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 2,079,090 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 Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA Β· Moreno Valley, CA.