Moving from El Paso, TX to Rialto, CA
A move from El Paso, TX to Rialto, CA covers 757 mi and around 13h 24m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
757 mi · 13h 24m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 95, LOOP 375 |
| Major cities en route | Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Paso | Rialto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.912 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.585 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.248 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 18.4% pricier overall in Rialto than El Paso on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Rialto typical home at $588,566 is 18.4% above El Paso at $234,775 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: El Paso +1.4%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Paso | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 9.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.2°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: EL PASO INTL AP, TX US, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Paso | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $58,734 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.8 | 3.87 |
Median household income in Rialto is 18.4% above El Paso ($58,734 vs $85,521, 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 El Paso?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rialto is 18.4% higher than El Paso (106.442 vs 89.912, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from El Paso 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 757 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 Paso and Rialto?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Rialto vs 66.2°F in El Paso (0.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 2.8 in. Annual precipitation: 9.9 in vs 8.8 in.
How does the job market in Rialto compare to El Paso?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto MSA vs $36,000 in the El Paso MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 323,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Rialto compared to El Paso?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $234,775 in El Paso — a 150.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in El Paso vs Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $58,734 in El Paso — a 45.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Rialto, CA from El Paso, TX?
The driving distance is 757 mi and the route typically takes 13h 24m via I 10 and US 95. The trip crosses 4 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 El Paso.
City profiles: El Paso, TX · Rialto, CA.