Moving from El Cajon, CA to Fontana, CA
Moving from El Cajon, CA to Fontana, CA covers 114 mi and about 2h 17m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
114 mi Β· 2h 17m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, I 215 TRUCK, CA 52 |
| Major cities en route | Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Pomona, West Covina, Victorville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Cajon | Fontana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.887 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 174.247 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.963 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 179.267 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Fontana and El Cajon 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 Fontana is 4.9% below El Cajon β $816,317 vs $639,032 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: El Cajon -2.1%, Fontana -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | El Cajon | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 11.6" |
Annual average temperatures in El Cajon (65.1Β°F) and Fontana (66.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: EL CAJON, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Cajon | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 104,909 | 211,921 |
| Median household income | $66,478 | $98,187 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.3% | 14.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.09 | 3.71 |
Median household income in Fontana is 4.9% above El Cajon ($66,478 vs $98,187, ACS 5-year 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.
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 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Fontana compare to El Cajon?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Fontana MSA vs $53,090 in the El Cajon MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 1,522,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from El Cajon to Fontana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 114 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fontana more expensive than El Cajon?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fontana is 4.9% lower than El Cajon (106.442 vs 111.887, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in El Cajon vs Fontana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,187 in Fontana vs $66,478 in El Cajon β a 47.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fontana compared to El Cajon?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $639,032 in Fontana vs $816,317 in El Cajon β a 21.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Fontana, CA from El Cajon, CA?
The driving distance is 114 mi and the route typically takes 2h 17m via I 15 and I 215 TRUCK. 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 El Cajon.
City profiles: El Cajon, CA Β· Fontana, CA.