Moving from Rialto, CA to Winston-Salem, NC
It is 2403 mi and 42h from Rialto to Winston-Salem β a cross-country move across 9 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2403 mi Β· 42h by car Β· NC β VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 52, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Greensboro, High Point, Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rialto | Winston-Salem | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 92.043 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 88.421 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 71.377 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 13.5% moving from Rialto to Winston-Salem β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $588,566 in Rialto to $264,333 in Winston-Salem, a 13.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Rialto -0.8%, Winston-Salem +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rialto | Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 9.9" | 43.2" |
Expect 7.1Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US, WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rialto | Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,866 | 250,887 |
| Median household income | $85,521 | $57,673 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 35.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.2% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.87 | 2.5 |
Expect median household income to fall 13.5% β $85,521 β $57,673 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Winston-Salem MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,440 | $40,070 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 27,960 | $36,300 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 26,050 | $31,830 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,820 | $27,550 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 24,350 | $78,520 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and North Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Carolina'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
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October, particularly on the Outer Banks.
- 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 North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Rialto to Winston-Salem?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2403 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Rialto vs Winston-Salem?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $57,673 in Winston-Salem vs $85,521 in Rialto β a 32.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Winston-Salem, NC from Rialto, CA?
The driving distance is 2403 mi and the route typically takes 42h via I 40 and US 52. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Winston-Salem more expensive than Rialto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Winston-Salem is 13.5% lower than Rialto (92.043 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Winston-Salem compared to Rialto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,333 in Winston-Salem vs $588,566 in Rialto β a 55.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Winston-Salem compare to Rialto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA vs $47,450 in the Rialto MSA, on total employment of 271,620 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 Rialto.
City profiles: Rialto, CA Β· Winston-Salem, NC.