Moving from Moreno Valley, CA to Richmond, CA
Moving from Moreno Valley, CA to Richmond, CA covers 446 mi and about 8h 25m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
446 mi Β· 8h 25m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 580, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Riverside, San Bernardino |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Moreno Valley | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Richmond is 8.6% higher than Moreno Valley, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Richmond is 8.6% above Moreno Valley ($606,427 vs $551,284 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Moreno Valley -1.5%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Moreno Valley | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 71Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.7" | 24.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Moreno Valley (63.3Β°F) and Richmond (58.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Richmond gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MARCH AFB, CA US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Moreno Valley | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $87,477 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 32.1 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.1% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.84 | 2.85 |
Median household incomes in Moreno Valley ($87,477) and Richmond ($90,038) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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
- 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
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Moreno Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Moreno Valley to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 446 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 Moreno Valley vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $87,477 in Moreno Valley β a 2.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Richmond, CA from Moreno Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 446 mi and the route typically takes 8h 25m via I 5 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Moreno Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $551,284 in Moreno Valley β a 10.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Richmond more expensive than Moreno Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 8.6% higher than Moreno Valley (115.613 vs 106.442, 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 Moreno Valley.
City profiles: Moreno Valley, CA Β· Richmond, CA.