Moving from Fairfield, CA to Fontana, CA
It is a 438 mi drive, roughly 8h 12m, between Fairfield, CA and Fontana, 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.
438 mi Β· 8h 12m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 680, CA 210 |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Rialto, Corona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Fontana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Fairfield to Fontana β $609,269 vs $639,032 (2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Fontana -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fairfield | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 11.6" |
Annual temperature rises 5.1Β°F moving to Fontana per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 211,921 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $98,187 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 14.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 3.71 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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
Is Fontana more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fontana is 1.9% lower than Fairfield (106.442 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fontana, CA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 438 mi and the route typically takes 8h 12m via I 5 and I 680. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fontana compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $639,032 in Fontana vs $609,269 in Fairfield β a 4.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Fontana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,187 in Fontana vs $102,321 in Fairfield β a 4.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Fontana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 438 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Fontana compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Fontana MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA Β· Fontana, CA.