Moving from Midland, TX to Rialto, CA
The drive from Midland, TX to Rialto, CA runs 1061 mi — about 18h 18m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1061 mi · 18h 18m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, TX 349 |
| Major cities en route | Odessa, El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Midland | Rialto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.783 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.24 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 101.497 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 95.783 in Midland to 106.442 in Rialto, a 11.1% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Rialto: 11.1% above Midland on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Midland +2.7%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Midland | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.6" | 9.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Rialto — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MIDLAND 4 ENE, TX US, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Midland | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,998 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $91,169 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 31.6 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.9% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 3.87 |
Income steps down 11.1%: $91,169 in Midland vs $85,521 in Rialto.
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.
Moving between Texas 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 94°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 — 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
How much do homes cost in Rialto compared to Midland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $328,325 in Midland — a 79.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Midland vs Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $91,169 in Midland — a 6.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Rialto, CA from Midland, TX?
The driving distance is 1061 mi and the route typically takes 18h 18m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Rialto compare to Midland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto MSA vs $50,470 in the Midland MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 114,810 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Midland and Rialto?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Rialto vs 65.0°F in Midland (1.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 1.9 in. Annual precipitation: 9.9 in vs 13.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Midland to Rialto?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1061 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Rialto more expensive than Midland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rialto is 11.1% higher than Midland (106.442 vs 95.783, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Midland.
City profiles: Midland, TX · Rialto, CA.