Moving from San Diego, CA to Rialto, CA
The 100 mi from San Diego to Rialto translate to about 2h 2m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
100 mi Β· 2h 2m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, I 215, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Chula Vista, El Cajon, Escondido, Carlsbad, Oceanside |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Diego | Rialto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.887 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 174.247 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.963 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 179.267 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for San Diego (111.887) and Rialto (106.442) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Rialto: 4.9% below San Diego on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Diego -3.2%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Diego | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 9.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Rialto β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN DIEGO MONTGOMERY FLD, CA US, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Diego | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $104,321 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 36 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 3.87 |
Income steps down 4.9%: $104,321 in San Diego vs $85,521 in Rialto.
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.
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Rialto average 94Β°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 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 does the job market in Rialto compare to San Diego?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto MSA vs $53,090 in the San Diego MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 1,522,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Rialto more expensive than San Diego?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rialto is 4.9% lower than San Diego (106.442 vs 111.887, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Rialto, CA from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance is 100 mi and the route typically takes 2h 2m via I 15 and I 215. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from San Diego to Rialto?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 100 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in San Diego vs Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $104,321 in San Diego β a 18.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Rialto compared to San Diego?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $1,001,265 in San Diego β a 41.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Diego.
City profiles: San Diego, CA Β· Rialto, CA.