Moving from Round Rock, TX to Rialto, CA
It is 1351 mi between Round Rock and Rialto — roughly 23h 18m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1351 mi · 23h 18m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 290, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Round Rock | Rialto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Rialto runs about 8.5% more expensive overall than Round Rock — RPP 98.066 → 106.442.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $407,077 in Round Rock to $588,566 in Rialto, a 8.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Round Rock -5.9%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Round Rock | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $97,187 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.1% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.87 |
Households in Rialto earn about 8.5% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rialto 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.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 Rialto 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: Rialto sees only 9.9 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Rialto compare to Round Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto MSA vs $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Rialto more expensive than Round Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rialto is 8.5% higher than Round Rock (106.442 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Round Rock vs Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $97,187 in Round Rock — a 12.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Rialto compared to Round Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $407,077 in Round Rock — a 44.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Round Rock to Rialto?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1351 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Rialto, CA from Round Rock, TX?
The driving distance is 1351 mi and the route typically takes 23h 18m via I 10 and US 290. The trip crosses 4 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 Round Rock.
City profiles: Round Rock, TX · Rialto, CA.