Moving from Tempe, AZ to Rialto, CA
It is a 336 mi drive, roughly 6h 4m, between Tempe, AZ and Rialto, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
336 mi · 6h 4m by car · AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 95, US 60 |
| Major cities en route | Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Phoenix |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tempe | Rialto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
3.0% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Tempe -1.7%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tempe | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 72°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 106°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 9.9" |
Annual temperature drops 5.2°F moving to Rialto per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Rialto — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TEMPE ASU, AZ US, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tempe | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $77,643 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 29.9 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 3.87 |
Households in Rialto earn about 3.0% more at the median — ACS 5-year 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 Arizona 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
- 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
What is the climate difference between Tempe and Rialto?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Rialto vs 71.8°F in Tempe (5.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.9 in vs 8.8 in.
How does household income compare in Tempe vs Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $77,643 in Tempe — a 10.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Rialto more expensive than Tempe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rialto is 3.0% higher than Tempe (106.442 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Tempe 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 336 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 Tempe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto MSA vs $48,600 in the Tempe MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Rialto compared to Tempe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $468,281 in Tempe — a 25.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Rialto, CA from Tempe, AZ?
The driving distance is 336 mi and the route typically takes 6h 4m via I 10 and US 95. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tempe.
City profiles: Tempe, AZ · Rialto, CA.