Moving from Richmond, CA to Moreno Valley, CA
Moving from Richmond, CA to Moreno Valley, CA covers 446 mi and about 8h 25m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
446 mi · 8h 25m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 580, I 210 |
| 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
| Richmond | Moreno Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Moreno Valley is 7.9% cheaper than Richmond overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Moreno Valley is 7.9% below Richmond ($551,284 vs $606,427 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Richmond -5.4%, Moreno Valley -1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Richmond | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 71°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 10.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Richmond (58.8°F) and Moreno Valley (63.3°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RICHMOND, CA US, MARCH AFB, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 210,378 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $87,477 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 32.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.2% | 12.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.85 | 3.84 |
Median household incomes in Richmond ($90,038) and Moreno Valley ($87,477) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley 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: Moreno Valley sees only 10.7 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
How far is Moreno Valley, CA from Richmond, CA?
The driving distance is 446 mi and the route typically takes 8h 25m via I 5 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Moreno Valley compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $551,284 in Moreno Valley vs $606,427 in Richmond — a 9.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Moreno Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,477 in Moreno Valley vs $90,038 in Richmond — a 2.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Moreno Valley more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Moreno Valley is 7.9% lower than Richmond (106.442 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Moreno Valley compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA vs $72,050 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Richmond to Moreno Valley?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 446 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, CA · Moreno Valley, CA.