Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Riverside, CA
The 402 mi from Santa Clara to Riverside translate to about 7h 38m 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.
402 mi Β· 7h 38m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 152, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | San Bernardino, Fontana, Moreno Valley, Menifee, Rialto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | Riverside | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Santa Clara (110.423) and Riverside (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 Riverside: 3.6% below Santa Clara on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Riverside -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 10.0" |
Climate warms by 6.2Β°F on the annual average β 60.7Β°F β 66.9Β°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Riverside β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 316,241 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $88,575 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.42 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 3.6% between Santa Clara and Riverside (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Riverside 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 Riverside average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Riverside sees only 10.0 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 much do homes cost in Riverside compared to Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $646,784 in Riverside vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 63.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Clara vs Riverside?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,575 in Riverside vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 49.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Riverside compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Riverside MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Riverside, CA from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 402 mi and the route typically takes 7h 38m via I 5 and CA 152. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Riverside more expensive than Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Riverside is 3.6% lower than Santa Clara (106.442 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara to Riverside?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 402 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA Β· Riverside, CA.