Moving from Pasadena, CA to Rialto, CA
The drive from Pasadena to Rialto covers 46 mi in about 58 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
46 mi · 58 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 210, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Glendale, Palmdale, Burbank, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pasadena | Rialto | 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 |
RPP moves from 113.566 to 106.442, putting Rialto roughly 6.3% below Pasadena on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Rialto: 6.3% below Pasadena on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Pasadena -1.0%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Pasadena | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.1" | 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: PASADENA, CA US, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,462 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $103,778 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 3.87 |
Income steps down 6.3%: $103,778 in Pasadena 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.
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
- 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.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Pasadena and Rialto?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Rialto vs 66.0°F in Pasadena (0.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.9 in vs 20.1 in.
How does household income compare in Pasadena vs Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $103,778 in Pasadena — a 17.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Rialto compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $1,209,228 in Pasadena — a 51.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Rialto, CA from Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance is 46 mi and the route typically takes 58 min via CA 210 and I 210. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Rialto more expensive than Pasadena?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rialto is 6.3% lower than Pasadena (106.442 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Pasadena 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 46 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Rialto compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto MSA vs $50,490 in the Pasadena 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, CA · Rialto, CA.