Moving from Moreno Valley, CA to Visalia, CA
It is a 244 mi drive, roughly 4h 45m, between Moreno Valley, CA and Visalia, 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.
244 mi Β· 4h 45m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 210, I 5 TRUCK |
| 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 | Visalia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 99.825 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 156.446 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 84.053 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.2% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Visalia at 99.825 vs Moreno Valley at 106.442.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.2% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $551,284 to $396,184 moving to Visalia.
YoY change: Moreno Valley -1.5%, Visalia +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Moreno Valley | Visalia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.7" | 10.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Moreno Valley (63.3Β°F) and Visalia (63.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Visalia 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, VISALIA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Moreno Valley | Visalia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 142,649 |
| Median household income | $87,477 | $79,952 |
| Median age | 32.1 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.1% | 14.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.84 | 3.07 |
Households in Visalia earn about 6.2% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Visalia MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations | 23,120 | $34,050 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | 21,100 | $34,050 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 18,650 | $39,040 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,530 | $46,390 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 13,770 | $63,530 |
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 Visalia 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: Visalia sees only 10.3 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
How far is Visalia, CA from Moreno Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 244 mi and the route typically takes 4h 45m via CA 99 and I 210. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Visalia compare to Moreno Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,350 in the Visalia MSA vs $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA, on total employment of 168,730 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Moreno Valley vs Visalia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,952 in Visalia vs $87,477 in Moreno Valley β a 8.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Visalia more expensive than Moreno Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Visalia is 6.2% lower than Moreno Valley (99.825 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Moreno Valley to Visalia?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 244 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 Visalia compared to Moreno Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $396,184 in Visalia vs $551,284 in Moreno Valley β a 28.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
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· Visalia, CA.