Moving from Anaheim, CA to Ontario, CA
It is a short 23 mi hop from Anaheim, CA to Ontario, CA β roughly 37 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.
23 mi Β· 37 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 83, CA 91, CA 71 |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Long Beach, Huntington Beach |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Anaheim | Ontario | 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 |
Expect about 6.3% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Ontario at 106.442 vs Anaheim at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.3% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $950,504 to $672,742 moving to Ontario.
YoY change: Anaheim +0.2%, Ontario -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Anaheim | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 11.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Anaheim (67.7Β°F) and Ontario (66.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ANAHEIM, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Anaheim | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | 178,347 |
| Median household income | $90,583 | $82,806 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.5% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 3.39 |
Households in Ontario earn about 6.3% less at the median β 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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Anaheim vs Ontario?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,806 in Ontario vs $90,583 in Anaheim β a 8.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Ontario compare to Anaheim?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Ontario MSA vs $50,490 in the Anaheim 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 far is Ontario, CA from Anaheim, CA?
The driving distance is 23 mi and the route typically takes 37 min via CA 83 and CA 91. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Anaheim to Ontario?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 23 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 Anaheim?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $672,742 in Ontario vs $950,504 in Anaheim β a 29.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Ontario more expensive than Anaheim?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ontario is 6.3% lower than Anaheim (106.442 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Anaheim.
City profiles: Anaheim, CA Β· Ontario, CA.