Moving from Riverside, CA to Glendale, CA
Relocating between Riverside, CA and Glendale, CA is a 64 mi drive — 1h 23m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
64 mi · 1h 23m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 210, CA 71, CA 91 |
| Major cities en route | San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Menifee, Fontana, Rialto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Riverside | Glendale | 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 |
Expect roughly 6.7% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.7% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $646,784 to $1,201,880 moving to Glendale.
YoY change: Riverside -1.4%, Glendale -0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Riverside | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.0" | 16.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Riverside (66.9°F) and Glendale (64.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Glendale 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, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Riverside | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 192,270 |
| Median household income | $88,575 | $84,262 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 41.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 28.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.42 | 2.63 |
Median household incomes in Riverside ($88,575) and Glendale ($84,262) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Glendale 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
- 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 does the job market in Glendale compare to Riverside?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Glendale 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 much do homes cost in Glendale compared to Riverside?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,201,880 in Glendale vs $646,784 in Riverside — a 85.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Riverside vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,262 in Glendale vs $88,575 in Riverside — a 4.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Glendale more expensive than Riverside?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Glendale is 6.7% higher than Riverside (113.566 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Riverside and Glendale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.5°F in Glendale vs 66.9°F in Riverside (2.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.5 in vs 10.0 in.
When is the best time to move from Riverside to Glendale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 64 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Glendale, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance is 64 mi and the route typically takes 1h 23m via I 210 and CA 71. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Riverside.
City profiles: Riverside, CA · Glendale, CA.