Moving from El Monte, CA to Palmdale, CA
It is a 58 mi drive, roughly 1h 30m, between El Monte, CA and Palmdale, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
58 mi · 1h 30m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | N3, FH 59, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Burbank, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Monte | Palmdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 113.566 vs 113.566 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.0% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $765,444 to $501,257 moving to Palmdale.
YoY change: El Monte +0.8%, Palmdale -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Monte | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.7" | 7.3" |
Annual average temperatures in El Monte (66.0°F) and Palmdale (63.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Palmdale 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: SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US, PALMDALE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Monte | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 165,487 |
| Median household income | $64,484 | $81,151 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 33.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.62 | 3.56 |
Palmdale households earn about 0.0% more than El Monte at the median — $64,484 → $81,151 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palmdale 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Palmdale average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Palmdale sees only 7.3 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Palmdale compare to El Monte?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA vs $50,490 in the El Monte MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Palmdale, CA from El Monte, CA?
The driving distance is 58 mi and the route typically takes 1h 30m via N3 and FH 59. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in El Monte vs Palmdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,151 in Palmdale vs $64,484 in El Monte — a 25.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from El Monte to Palmdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 58 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between El Monte and Palmdale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.6°F in Palmdale vs 66.0°F in El Monte (2.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 7.3 in vs 15.7 in.
How much do homes cost in Palmdale compared to El Monte?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $501,257 in Palmdale vs $765,444 in El Monte — a 34.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from El Monte.
City profiles: El Monte, CA · Palmdale, CA.