Moving from Moreno Valley, CA to San Jose, CA
The 397 mi from Moreno Valley to San Jose translate to about 7h 34m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
397 mi Β· 7h 34m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Salinas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Moreno Valley | San Jose | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Moreno Valley (106.442) and San Jose (110.423) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in San Jose: 3.7% above Moreno Valley on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Moreno Valley -1.5%, San Jose -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Moreno Valley | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.7" | 16.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in San Jose β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MARCH AFB, CA US, SAN JOSE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Moreno Valley | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 990,054 |
| Median household income | $87,477 | $141,565 |
| Median age | 32.1 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.1% | 26.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.84 | 3.03 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 3.7% between Moreno Valley and San Jose (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Jose MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
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 much do homes cost in San Jose compared to Moreno Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,463,614 in San Jose vs $551,284 in Moreno Valley β a 165.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Moreno Valley to San Jose?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 397 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is San Jose more expensive than Moreno Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Jose is 3.7% higher than Moreno Valley (110.423 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is San Jose, CA from Moreno Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 397 mi and the route typically takes 7h 34m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Moreno Valley vs San Jose?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $141,565 in San Jose vs $87,477 in Moreno Valley β a 61.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in San Jose compare to Moreno Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the San Jose MSA vs $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
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· San Jose, CA.