Moving from Huntington Beach, CA to Rialto, CA
It is a 61 mi drive, roughly 1h 21m, between Huntington Beach, CA and Rialto, 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.
61 mi Β· 1h 21m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 91, CA 261 TOLL, I 405 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Torrance, Inglewood, Downey, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntington Beach | 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 |
Moderate COL drop: 6.3% cheaper overall in Rialto than Huntington Beach on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Huntington Beach +2.8%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Huntington Beach | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 9.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Rialto β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntington Beach | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $119,885 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 43.4 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 3.87 |
Rialto households earn about 6.3% less than Huntington Beach at the median β $119,885 β $85,521 on 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 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Rialto average 94Β°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 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
When is the best time to move from Huntington Beach to Rialto?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 61 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Rialto compared to Huntington Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $1,366,658 in Huntington Beach β a 56.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Rialto compare to Huntington Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto MSA vs $50,490 in the Huntington Beach 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.
Is Rialto more expensive than Huntington Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rialto is 6.3% lower than Huntington Beach (106.442 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Huntington Beach vs Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $119,885 in Huntington Beach β a 28.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Rialto, CA from Huntington Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 61 mi and the route typically takes 1h 21m via CA 91 and CA 261 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 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 Huntington Beach.
City profiles: Huntington Beach, CA Β· Rialto, CA.