Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Victorville, CA
It is a 135 mi drive, roughly 2h 39m, between Bakersfield, CA and Victorville, 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.
135 mi Β· 2h 39m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 58, US 395, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Palmdale, Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto, Fontana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bakersfield | Victorville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.886 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.257 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 90.291 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Victorville runs about 5.5% more expensive overall than Bakersfield β RPP 100.886 β 106.442.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Victorville run about 5.5% pricier β ZHVI $396,047 β $436,009 (2026-03).
YoY change: Bakersfield -0.3%, Victorville -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bakersfield | Victorville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.7" | 5.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.1Β°F vs 61.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Victorville sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US, VICTORVILLE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bakersfield | Victorville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 135,983 |
| Median household income | $77,397 | $70,663 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 32 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 8.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 3.63 |
Households in Victorville earn about 5.5% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Victorville 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 Victorville average 98Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Victorville sees only 5.6 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
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to Victorville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 135 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Victorville more expensive than Bakersfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Victorville is 5.5% higher than Bakersfield (106.442 vs 100.886, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Victorville compared to Bakersfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $436,009 in Victorville vs $396,047 in Bakersfield β a 10.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Victorville compare to Bakersfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Victorville MSA vs $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 330,270 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Bakersfield vs Victorville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,663 in Victorville vs $77,397 in Bakersfield β a 8.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Victorville, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance is 135 mi and the route typically takes 2h 39m via CA 58 and US 395. The trip crosses 1 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 Bakersfield.
City profiles: Bakersfield, CA Β· Victorville, CA.