Moving from Tacoma, WA to Moreno Valley, CA
It is 1167 mi between Tacoma and Moreno Valley β roughly 22h 9m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1167 mi Β· 22h 9m 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 | Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Vancouver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | 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 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 4.2% above Tacoma β $493,840 β $551,284 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Moreno Valley -1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 10.7" |
Annual temperature rises 9.6Β°F moving to Moreno Valley per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, MARCH AFB, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 210,378 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $87,477 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 32.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 12.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 3.84 |
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 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.
- 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 does household income compare in Tacoma vs Moreno Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,477 in Moreno Valley vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 4.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Moreno Valley compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $551,284 in Moreno Valley vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 11.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma 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 1167 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Moreno Valley more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Moreno Valley is 4.2% lower than Tacoma (106.442 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Moreno Valley compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma 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.
How far is Moreno Valley, CA from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 1167 mi and the route typically takes 22h 9m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Moreno Valley, CA.