Moving from Santa Rosa, CA to Moreno Valley, CA
It is a 491 mi drive, roughly 9h 18m, between Santa Rosa, CA and Moreno Valley, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
491 mi Β· 9h 18m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 580, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Riverside, San Bernardino |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Rosa | Moreno Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 107.784 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.777 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 139.569 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.2% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Santa Rosa -2.2%, Moreno Valley -1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Rosa | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 31.5" | 10.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ROSA, CA US, MARCH AFB, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Rosa | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,216 | 210,378 |
| Median household income | $97,410 | $87,477 |
| Median age | 40.5 | 32.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 12.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.84 |
Households in Moreno Valley earn about 1.2% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley 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: Moreno Valley sees only 10.7 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 Moreno Valley compare to Santa Rosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA vs $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 206,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Santa Rosa to Moreno Valley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 491 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 Santa Rosa vs Moreno Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,477 in Moreno Valley vs $97,410 in Santa Rosa β a 10.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Moreno Valley more expensive than Santa Rosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Moreno Valley is 1.2% lower than Santa Rosa (106.442 vs 107.784, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Moreno Valley, CA from Santa Rosa, CA?
The driving distance is 491 mi and the route typically takes 9h 18m via I 5 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Moreno Valley compared to Santa Rosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $551,284 in Moreno Valley vs $718,726 in Santa Rosa β a 23.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Rosa.
City profiles: Santa Rosa, CA Β· Moreno Valley, CA.