Moving from San Antonio, TX to Rialto, CA
The drive from San Antonio, TX to Rialto, CA runs 1302 mi — about 22h 4m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1302 mi · 22h 4m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler, Gilbert |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | Rialto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Rialto is 12.4% higher than San Antonio, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Rialto is 12.4% above San Antonio — $249,810 vs $588,566 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Antonio | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 9.9" |
Annual average temperatures in San Antonio (69.0°F) and Rialto (66.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Rialto 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: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.87 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 12.4% between San Antonio and Rialto (ACS 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 much do homes cost in Rialto compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $249,810 in San Antonio — a 135.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Rialto more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rialto is 12.4% higher than San Antonio (106.442 vs 94.716, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from San Antonio 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 1302 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $62,917 in San Antonio — a 35.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between San Antonio and Rialto?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Rialto vs 69.0°F in San Antonio (2.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 9.9 in vs 34.0 in.
How far is Rialto, CA from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 1302 mi and the route typically takes 22h 4m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Rialto compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 1,091,510 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 San Antonio.
City profiles: San Antonio, TX · Rialto, CA.