Moving from West Covina, CA to Riverside, CA
Relocating from West Covina, CA to Riverside, CA? The drive is 39 mi — about 51 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
39 mi · 51 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 71, CA 91, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Menifee, Fontana, Rialto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Covina | Riverside | 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 Riverside — 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 $646,784 in Riverside, a 6.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: West Covina +0.7%, Riverside -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | West Covina | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 10.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 65.1°F vs 66.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Riverside sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Covina | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,436 | 316,241 |
| Median household income | $98,570 | $88,575 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.3 | 3.42 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 6.3% lower in Riverside than West Covina.
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 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 Riverside average 95°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 — 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
When is the best time to move from West Covina to Riverside?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 39 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between West Covina and Riverside?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.9°F in Riverside vs 65.1°F in West Covina (1.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 10.0 in vs 14.5 in.
How does household income compare in West Covina vs Riverside?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,575 in Riverside vs $98,570 in West Covina — a 10.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Riverside more expensive than West Covina?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Riverside 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 does the job market in Riverside compare to West Covina?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Riverside 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.
How much do homes cost in Riverside compared to West Covina?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $646,784 in Riverside vs $852,373 in West Covina — a 24.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Riverside, CA from West Covina, CA?
The driving distance is 39 mi and the route typically takes 51 min via CA 71 and CA 91. 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 · Riverside, CA.