Moving from Goodyear, AZ to El Monte, CA
The 353 mi from Goodyear to El Monte translate to about 6h 42m behind the wheel through 2 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
353 mi · 6h 42m by car · CA → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 10 EXPR, US 80 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Glendale, Pasadena, Inglewood, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Goodyear | El Monte | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 9.9% pricier overall in El Monte than Goodyear on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: El Monte typical home at $765,444 is 9.9% above Goodyear at $469,424 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Goodyear -1.2%, El Monte +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Goodyear | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 107°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.4" | 15.7" |
Climate cools by 7.9°F on the annual average — 73.9°F → 66.0°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: El Monte sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US, SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Goodyear | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,891 | 107,066 |
| Median household income | $101,814 | $64,484 |
| Median age | 40.8 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.87 | 3.62 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 9.9% between Goodyear and El Monte (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.
Moving between Arizona 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
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 — 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
What is the climate difference between Goodyear and El Monte?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in El Monte vs 73.9°F in Goodyear (7.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 15.7 in vs 7.4 in.
When is the best time to move from Goodyear to El Monte?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 353 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in El Monte compare to Goodyear?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the El Monte MSA vs $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in El Monte compared to Goodyear?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $765,444 in El Monte vs $469,424 in Goodyear — a 63.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is El Monte more expensive than Goodyear?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Monte is 9.9% higher than Goodyear (113.566 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Goodyear vs El Monte?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,484 in El Monte vs $101,814 in Goodyear — a 36.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is El Monte, CA from Goodyear, AZ?
The driving distance is 353 mi and the route typically takes 6h 42m via I 10 and I 10 EXPR. The trip crosses 2 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 Goodyear.
City profiles: Goodyear, AZ · El Monte, CA.