Moving from Berkeley, CA to Ontario, CA
It is a 413 mi drive, roughly 7h 42m, between Berkeley, CA and Ontario, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
413 mi Β· 7h 42m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 580, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, San Bernardino, Fontana, Moreno Valley, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Berkeley | Ontario | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Expect about 7.9% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Ontario at 106.442 vs Berkeley at 115.613.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.9% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,443,684 to $672,742 moving to Ontario.
YoY change: Berkeley -1.2%, Ontario -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Berkeley | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 74Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 26.1" | 11.6" |
Annual temperature rises 8.3Β°F moving to Ontario per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BERKELEY, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Berkeley | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 178,347 |
| Median household income | $108,558 | $82,806 |
| Median age | 32.9 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.4% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 3.39 |
Ontario households earn about 7.9% less than Berkeley at the median β $108,558 β $82,806 on ACS 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 much do homes cost in Ontario compared to Berkeley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $672,742 in Ontario vs $1,443,684 in Berkeley β a 53.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Ontario more expensive than Berkeley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ontario is 7.9% lower than Berkeley (106.442 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Berkeley vs Ontario?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,806 in Ontario vs $108,558 in Berkeley β a 23.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Ontario compare to Berkeley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Ontario MSA vs $72,050 in the Berkeley MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Ontario, CA from Berkeley, CA?
The driving distance is 413 mi and the route typically takes 7h 42m via I 5 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Berkeley to Ontario?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 413 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Berkeley.
City profiles: Berkeley, CA Β· Ontario, CA.