Moving from Amarillo, TX to Fontana, CA
The drive from Amarillo, TX to Fontana, CA runs 1026 mi β about 17h 38m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1026 mi Β· 17h 38m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 15, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Riverside, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Corona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Amarillo | Fontana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.82 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.474 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.38 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 15.9% pricier overall in Fontana than Amarillo on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Fontana typical home at $639,032 is 15.9% above Amarillo at $206,787 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Amarillo +2.6%, Fontana -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Amarillo | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 11.6" |
Climate warms by 9.9Β°F on the annual average β 56.9Β°F β 66.8Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Amarillo | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 211,921 |
| Median household income | $62,469 | $98,187 |
| Median age | 35 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17% | 14.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.56 | 3.71 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 15.9% between Amarillo and Fontana (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fontana 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 Fontana 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: Fontana 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 does the job market in Fontana compare to Amarillo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Fontana MSA vs $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 120,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Amarillo to Fontana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1026 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fontana, CA from Amarillo, TX?
The driving distance is 1026 mi and the route typically takes 17h 38m via I 40 and I 15. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Amarillo vs Fontana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,187 in Fontana vs $62,469 in Amarillo β a 57.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Fontana more expensive than Amarillo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fontana is 15.9% higher than Amarillo (106.442 vs 91.82, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fontana compared to Amarillo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $639,032 in Fontana vs $206,787 in Amarillo β a 209.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Amarillo.
City profiles: Amarillo, TX Β· Fontana, CA.