Moving from West Covina, CA to El Monte, CA
It is a short 9.0 mi hop from West Covina, CA to El Monte, CA — roughly 14 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
9.0 mi · 14 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, N8 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Covina | El Monte | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 113.566 vs 113.566 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 0.0% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: West Covina +0.7%, El Monte +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | West Covina | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 15.7" |
Annual average temperatures in West Covina (65.1°F) and El Monte (66.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
El Monte 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: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Covina | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,436 | 107,066 |
| Median household income | $98,570 | $64,484 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.3 | 3.62 |
El Monte households earn about 0.0% less than West Covina at the median — $98,570 → $64,484 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Monte MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- 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
What is the climate difference between West Covina and El Monte?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in El Monte vs 65.1°F in West Covina (0.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 15.7 in vs 14.5 in.
When is the best time to move from West Covina to El Monte?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 9.0 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in West Covina vs El Monte?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,484 in El Monte vs $98,570 in West Covina — a 34.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in El Monte compared to West Covina?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $765,444 in El Monte vs $852,373 in West Covina — a 10.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is El Monte, CA from West Covina, CA?
The driving distance is 9.0 mi and the route typically takes 14 min via I 10 and N8. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in El Monte compare to West Covina?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the El Monte MSA vs $50,490 in the West Covina MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Covina.
City profiles: West Covina, CA · El Monte, CA.