Moving from Riverside, CA to Long Beach, CA
Relocating between Riverside, CA and Long Beach, CA is a 52 mi drive β 1h 7m 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.
52 mi Β· 1h 7m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 91, CA 22, CA 55 |
| Major cities en route | Torrance, Los Angeles, Glendale, Inglewood, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Riverside | Long Beach | 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 prices come in 6.7% above Riverside β 106.442 β 113.566 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.7% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Riverside -1.4%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Riverside | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 10.0" | 12.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Riverside | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $88,575 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.42 | 2.68 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 6.7% lower in Long Beach than Riverside.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Long Beach 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 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
- 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: Long Beach sees only 12.0 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 β 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 Long Beach, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance is 52 mi and the route typically takes 1h 7m via CA 91 and CA 22. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Riverside to Long Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 52 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Long Beach more expensive than Riverside?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Long Beach 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 much do homes cost in Long Beach compared to Riverside?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $646,784 in Riverside β a 32.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Riverside vs Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $88,575 in Riverside β a 5.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Long Beach compare to Riverside?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Long Beach 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Riverside.
City profiles: Riverside, CA Β· Long Beach, CA.