Moving from El Monte, CA to Rialto, CA
The drive from El Monte to Rialto covers 41 mi in about 53 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
41 mi · 53 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 210, I 210, I 605 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Glendale, Torrance, Pasadena, Downey |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Monte | Rialto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Rialto are 6.3% below El Monte — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Rialto typical home at $588,566 is 6.3% under El Monte at $765,444 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: El Monte +0.8%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Monte | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.7" | 9.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.0°F vs 66.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Rialto sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Monte | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $64,484 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.62 | 3.87 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 6.3% between El Monte and Rialto (ACS 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.
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 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in El Monte vs Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $64,484 in El Monte — a 32.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Rialto more expensive than El Monte?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rialto is 6.3% lower than El Monte (106.442 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Rialto compare to El Monte?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto MSA vs $50,490 in the El Monte MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Rialto compared to El Monte?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $765,444 in El Monte — a 23.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Rialto, CA from El Monte, CA?
The driving distance is 41 mi and the route typically takes 53 min via CA 210 and I 210. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between El Monte and Rialto?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Rialto vs 66.0°F in El Monte (0.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.9 in vs 15.7 in.
When is the best time to move from El Monte 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 41 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 El Monte.
City profiles: El Monte, CA · Rialto, CA.