Moving from Evansville, IN to Fontana, CA
It is 1949 mi and 34h 4m from Evansville to Fontana β a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1949 mi Β· 34h 4m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO β IL β IN
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO β IL β IN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Riverside, Moreno Valley, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Evansville | Fontana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.528 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.717 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.318 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 66.735 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 16.3% above Evansville β 91.528 β 106.442 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
16.3% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Evansville +3.7%, Fontana -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Evansville | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 27Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.8" | 11.6" |
Expect 7.7Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: EVANSVILLE MUSEUM, IN US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Evansville | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | 211,921 |
| Median household income | $52,251 | $98,187 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 14.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 3.71 |
Expect median household income to rise 16.3% β $52,251 β $98,187 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Indiana 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 Evansville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Fontana MSA vs $41,930 in the Evansville MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 152,180 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Evansville vs Fontana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,187 in Fontana vs $52,251 in Evansville β a 87.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fontana compared to Evansville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $639,032 in Fontana vs $198,977 in Evansville β a 221.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Fontana, CA from Evansville, IN?
The driving distance is 1949 mi and the route typically takes 34h 4m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Evansville to Fontana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1949 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fontana more expensive than Evansville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fontana is 16.3% higher than Evansville (106.442 vs 91.528, 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 Evansville.
City profiles: Evansville, IN Β· Fontana, CA.