Moving from Elk Grove, CA to El Monte, CA
It is a 386 mi drive, roughly 7h 10m, between Elk Grove, CA and El Monte, 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.
386 mi Β· 7h 10m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Sacramento, Roseville, Stockton, Antioch, Modesto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elk Grove | El Monte | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 6.5% above Elk Grove β 106.67 β 113.566 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.5% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Elk Grove -3.5%, El Monte +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elk Grove | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 18.1" | 15.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in El Monte β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US, SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elk Grove | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 107,066 |
| Median household income | $122,229 | $64,484 |
| Median age | 39 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.24 | 3.62 |
El Monte households earn about 6.5% less than Elk Grove at the median β $122,229 β $64,484 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Monte 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 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
- 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
How much do homes cost in El Monte compared to Elk Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $765,444 in El Monte vs $637,450 in Elk Grove β a 20.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is El Monte more expensive than Elk Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Monte is 6.5% higher than Elk Grove (113.566 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in El Monte compare to Elk Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the El Monte MSA vs $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Elk Grove vs El Monte?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,484 in El Monte vs $122,229 in Elk Grove β a 47.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is El Monte, CA from Elk Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 386 mi and the route typically takes 7h 10m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Elk Grove to El Monte?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 386 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Elk Grove.
City profiles: Elk Grove, CA Β· El Monte, CA.