Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Rialto, CA
Relocating between Santa Ana, CA and Rialto, CA is a 54 mi drive — 1h 9m 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.
54 mi · 1h 9m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 57, I 10, I 10 EXPR |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | Rialto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.3% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Rialto at 106.442 vs Santa Ana at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.3% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $866,066 to $588,566 moving to Rialto.
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Ana | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 9.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Santa Ana (66.1°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: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 3.87 |
Median household incomes in Santa Ana ($88,354) and Rialto ($85,521) are within a few percent (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.
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 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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana 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 54 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Rialto compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Rialto more expensive than Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rialto is 6.3% lower than Santa Ana (106.442 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Rialto, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 54 mi and the route typically takes 1h 9m via CA 57 and I 10. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Rialto compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $866,066 in Santa Ana — a 32.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $88,354 in Santa Ana — a 3.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Santa Ana and Rialto?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Rialto vs 66.1°F in Santa Ana (0.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.9 in vs 12.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA · Rialto, CA.