Moving from Riverside, CA to Palmdale, CA
Relocating between Riverside, CA and Palmdale, CA is a 78 mi drive — 1h 43m 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.
78 mi · 1h 43m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 138, I 215, CA 91 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Irvine, Corona, Orange, Murrieta |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Riverside | Palmdale | 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% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $646,784 to $501,257 moving to Palmdale.
YoY change: Riverside -1.4%, Palmdale -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Riverside | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.0" | 7.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Riverside (66.9°F) and Palmdale (63.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Palmdale 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, PALMDALE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Riverside | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 165,487 |
| Median household income | $88,575 | $81,151 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 33.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.42 | 3.56 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 6.7% lower in Palmdale than Riverside.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palmdale 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Palmdale average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Palmdale sees only 7.3 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
When is the best time to move from Riverside to Palmdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 78 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Palmdale compared to Riverside?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $501,257 in Palmdale vs $646,784 in Riverside — a 22.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Palmdale compare to Riverside?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Palmdale 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.
Is Palmdale more expensive than Riverside?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palmdale 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 Palmdale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.6°F in Palmdale vs 66.9°F in Riverside (3.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 7.3 in vs 10.0 in.
How does household income compare in Riverside vs Palmdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,151 in Palmdale vs $88,575 in Riverside — a 8.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Palmdale, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance is 78 mi and the route typically takes 1h 43m via CA 138 and I 215. 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 · Palmdale, CA.