Moving from West Covina, CA to Rialto, CA
It is a short 36 mi hop from West Covina, CA to Rialto, CA — roughly 46 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.
36 mi · 46 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 10 EXPR, N8 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Torrance, Downey, Inglewood, Long Beach |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Covina | 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 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.3% moving from West Covina to Rialto — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $852,373 in West Covina to $588,566 in Rialto, a 6.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: West Covina +0.7%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | West Covina | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 9.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 65.1°F vs 66.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Rialto sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Covina | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,436 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $98,570 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.3 | 3.87 |
Households in Rialto earn about 6.3% less 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.
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
What is the climate difference between West Covina and Rialto?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Rialto vs 65.1°F in West Covina (1.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.9 in vs 14.5 in.
How does the job market in Rialto compare to West Covina?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto MSA vs $50,490 in the West Covina 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.
When is the best time to move from West Covina 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 36 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Rialto compared to West Covina?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $852,373 in West Covina — a 30.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in West Covina vs Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $98,570 in West Covina — a 13.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Rialto more expensive than West Covina?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rialto is 6.3% lower than West Covina (106.442 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Rialto, CA from West Covina, CA?
The driving distance is 36 mi and the route typically takes 46 min via I 10 and I 10 EXPR. The trip crosses 1 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 West Covina.
City profiles: West Covina, CA · Rialto, CA.