Moving from Long Beach, CA to Riverside, CA
It is a 52 mi drive, roughly 1h 7m, between Long Beach, CA and Riverside, 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.
52 mi Β· 1h 7m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 91, CA 22, CA 55 |
| Major cities en route | Torrance, Los Angeles, Glendale, Inglewood, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Long Beach | Riverside | 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 Riverside than Long 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: Long Beach +0.5%, Riverside -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Long Beach | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 10.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Riverside β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Long Beach | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 316,241 |
| Median household income | $83,969 | $88,575 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 3.42 |
Households in Riverside earn about 6.3% more at the median β ACS 5-year 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.
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 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.
- 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 Long Beach to Riverside?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 52 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Long Beach vs Riverside?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,575 in Riverside vs $83,969 in Long Beach β a 5.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Riverside more expensive than Long Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Riverside is 6.3% lower than Long Beach (106.442 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Riverside compare to Long Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Riverside MSA vs $50,490 in the Long 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.
How far is Riverside, CA from Long Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 52 mi and the route typically takes 1h 7m via CA 91 and CA 22. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Riverside compared to Long Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $646,784 in Riverside vs $857,861 in Long Beach β a 24.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Long Beach.
City profiles: Long Beach, CA Β· Riverside, CA.