Moving from Gresham, OR to Riverside, CA
It is 1030 mi between Gresham and Riverside β roughly 19h 35m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1030 mi Β· 19h 35m by car Β· CA β OR
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 210, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | San Bernardino, Fontana, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Menifee |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Gresham | Riverside | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Gresham and Riverside sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $471,181 in Gresham to $646,784 in Riverside, a 1.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Gresham -0.5%, Riverside -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Gresham | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 10.0" |
Annual temperature rises 12.2Β°F moving to Riverside per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Riverside sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND TROUTDALE AP, OR US, RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Gresham | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 316,241 |
| Median household income | $73,608 | $88,575 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 3.42 |
Riverside households earn about 1.0% more than Gresham at the median β $73,608 β $88,575 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Riverside 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 Oregon 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Riverside average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Riverside sees only 10.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Gresham to Riverside?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1030 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Riverside compare to Gresham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Riverside MSA vs $55,940 in the Gresham MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Riverside, CA from Gresham, OR?
The driving distance is 1030 mi and the route typically takes 19h 35m via I 5 and I 210. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Riverside compared to Gresham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $646,784 in Riverside vs $471,181 in Gresham β a 37.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Riverside more expensive than Gresham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Riverside is 1.0% higher than Gresham (106.442 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Gresham vs Riverside?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,575 in Riverside vs $73,608 in Gresham β a 20.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Gresham.
City profiles: Gresham, OR Β· Riverside, CA.