Moving from Riverside, CA to Anaheim, CA
The drive from Riverside to Anaheim covers 25 mi in about 34 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.
25 mi · 34 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 91 |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Long Beach, Huntington Beach |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Riverside | Anaheim | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Anaheim is 6.7% higher than Riverside, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Anaheim is 6.7% above Riverside — $646,784 vs $950,504 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Riverside -1.4%, Anaheim +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Riverside | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.0" | 13.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Riverside (66.9°F) and Anaheim (67.7°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Anaheim gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US, ANAHEIM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Riverside | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 344,553 |
| Median household income | $88,575 | $90,583 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 19.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.42 | 3.26 |
Median household incomes in Riverside ($88,575) and Anaheim ($90,583) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Anaheim 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.
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
- Dry climate: Anaheim sees only 13.5 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
Is Anaheim more expensive than Riverside?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Anaheim is 6.7% higher than Riverside (113.566 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Anaheim compare to Riverside?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Anaheim MSA vs $47,450 in the Riverside MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Riverside vs Anaheim?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,583 in Anaheim vs $88,575 in Riverside — a 2.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Riverside to Anaheim?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 25 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Anaheim, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance is 25 mi and the route typically takes 34 min via CA 91. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Riverside and Anaheim?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 67.7°F in Anaheim vs 66.9°F in Riverside (0.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 13.5 in vs 10.0 in.
How much do homes cost in Anaheim compared to Riverside?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $950,504 in Anaheim vs $646,784 in Riverside — a 47.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Riverside.
City profiles: Riverside, CA · Anaheim, CA.