Moving from Austin, TX to Rialto, CA
It is 1331 mi between Austin and Rialto — roughly 22h 53m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
1331 mi · 22h 53m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 290, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Austin | Rialto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 8.5% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 8.5% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Austin -5.7%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Austin | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 42°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.3" | 9.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Austin (70.0°F) and Rialto (66.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Rialto gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Austin | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $91,461 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 3.87 |
Households in Rialto earn about 8.5% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rialto 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 Texas 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 Rialto average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Rialto sees only 9.9 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 — 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
Is Rialto more expensive than Austin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rialto is 8.5% higher than Austin (106.442 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Austin and Rialto?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Rialto vs 70.0°F in Austin (3.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.2 in. Annual precipitation: 9.9 in vs 36.3 in.
How much do homes cost in Rialto compared to Austin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $508,530 in Austin — a 15.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Rialto compare to Austin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto MSA vs $50,070 in the Austin MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Rialto, CA from Austin, TX?
The driving distance is 1331 mi and the route typically takes 22h 53m via I 10 and US 290. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Austin vs Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $91,461 in Austin — a 6.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Austin to Rialto?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1331 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Austin.
City profiles: Austin, TX · Rialto, CA.