Moving from Reno, NV to Rialto, CA
It is a 456 mi drive, roughly 9h 25m, between Reno, NV and Rialto, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
456 mi · 9h 25m by car · NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 395, US 6 HIST, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Sparks, Victorville, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Pomona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Reno | Rialto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.014 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.274 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.271 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.478 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Rialto runs about 5.4% more expensive overall than Reno — RPP 101.014 → 106.442.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Rialto ($588,566) sits close to Reno ($567,857) — no material housing gap.
YoY change: Reno -0.4%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Reno | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 27°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 29.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.1" | 9.9" |
Annual temperature rises 12.1°F moving to Rialto per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Rialto sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RENO WFO, NV US, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Reno | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $78,448 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 3.87 |
Households in Rialto earn about 5.4% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
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.
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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.1°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 — 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 Rialto?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 456 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 Reno?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto MSA vs $47,540 in the Reno MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 254,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Rialto, CA from Reno, NV?
The driving distance is 456 mi and the route typically takes 9h 25m via US 395 and US 6 HIST. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Rialto compared to Reno?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $567,857 in Reno — a 3.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Reno and Rialto?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Rialto vs 54.5°F in Reno (12.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 29.7 in. Annual precipitation: 9.9 in vs 8.1 in.
Is Rialto more expensive than Reno?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rialto is 5.4% higher than Reno (106.442 vs 101.014, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Reno vs Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $78,448 in Reno — a 9.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Reno.
City profiles: Reno, NV · Rialto, CA.