Moving from Allen, TX to Ontario, CA
A move from Allen, TX to Ontario, CA covers 1421 mi and around 24h 22m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1421 mi Β· 24h 22m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Rancho Cucamonga, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allen | Ontario | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Ontario and Allen is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Ontario is 3.3% above Allen β $493,532 vs $672,742 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Allen -6.4%, Ontario -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Allen | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 11.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Allen (65.0Β°F) and Ontario (66.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCKINNEY MUNI AP, TX US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allen | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 178,347 |
| Median household income | $129,130 | $82,806 |
| Median age | 38.5 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.6% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 3.39 |
Median household income in Ontario is 3.3% below Allen ($129,130 vs $82,806, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Ontario 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 Texas 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Ontario 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: Ontario sees only 11.6 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Ontario, CA from Allen, TX?
The driving distance is 1421 mi and the route typically takes 24h 22m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Allen to Ontario?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1421 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Ontario compared to Allen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $672,742 in Ontario vs $493,532 in Allen β a 36.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Ontario more expensive than Allen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ontario is 3.3% higher than Allen (106.442 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Ontario compare to Allen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Ontario MSA vs $48,440 in the Allen MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Allen vs Ontario?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,806 in Ontario vs $129,130 in Allen β a 35.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Allen.
City profiles: Allen, TX Β· Ontario, CA.