Moving from Stockton, CA to El Monte, CA
Moving from Stockton, CA to El Monte, CA covers 352 mi and about 6h 31m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
352 mi · 6h 31m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Antioch, Modesto, Bakersfield, Lancaster, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Stockton | El Monte | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.089 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.247 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 115.614 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 105.089 in Stockton to 113.566 in El Monte, a 8.1% 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: 8.1% above Stockton on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Stockton -3.7%, El Monte +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Stockton | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.3" | 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: STOCKTON FIRE STN 4, CA US, SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Stockton | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 320,470 | 107,066 |
| Median household income | $76,851 | $64,484 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 3.62 |
Median household income in El Monte is 8.1% below Stockton ($76,851 → $64,484, ACS 2023).
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
When is the best time to move from Stockton 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 352 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in El Monte compare to Stockton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the El Monte MSA vs $48,370 in the Stockton MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 278,010 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in El Monte compared to Stockton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $765,444 in El Monte vs $431,328 in Stockton — a 77.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Stockton and El Monte?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in El Monte vs 63.9°F in Stockton (2.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 15.7 in vs 17.3 in.
How far is El Monte, CA from Stockton, CA?
The driving distance is 352 mi and the route typically takes 6h 31m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Stockton vs El Monte?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,484 in El Monte vs $76,851 in Stockton — a 16.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is El Monte more expensive than Stockton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Monte is 8.1% higher than Stockton (113.566 vs 105.089, 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 Stockton.
City profiles: Stockton, CA · El Monte, CA.