Moving from Reno, NV to Long Beach, CA
The drive from Reno, NV to Long Beach, CA runs 539 mi β about 10h 5m 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.
539 mi Β· 10h 5m by car Β· CA β NV
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 80 BUSINESS, I 405 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Orange |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Reno | Long Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.014 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.274 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.271 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.478 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 12.4% pricier overall in Long Beach than Reno on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Long Beach typical home at $857,861 is 12.4% above Reno at $567,857 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Reno -0.4%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Reno | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 27Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 29.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 8.1" | 12.0" |
Climate warms by 10.4Β°F on the annual average β 54.5Β°F β 64.9Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENO WFO, NV US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Reno | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $78,448 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.68 |
Income steps up 12.4%: $78,448 in Reno vs $83,969 in Long Beach.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Long Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Nevada 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Long Beach sees only 12.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.4Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Reno to Long Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 539 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Long Beach more expensive than Reno?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Long Beach is 12.4% higher than Reno (113.566 vs 101.014, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Reno vs Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $78,448 in Reno β a 7.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Long Beach, CA from Reno, NV?
The driving distance is 539 mi and the route typically takes 10h 5m via I 5 and I 80 BUSINESS. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Long Beach compared to Reno?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $567,857 in Reno β a 51.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Long Beach compare to Reno?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA vs $47,540 in the Reno MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 254,100 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 Reno.
City profiles: Reno, NV Β· Long Beach, CA.