Moving from Fontana, CA to Abilene, TX
Relocating 1211 mi from Fontana to Abilene is a 20h 46m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1211 mi Β· 20h 46m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Rancho Cucamonga, Pomona, Victorville, West Covina, Rialto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fontana | Abilene | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 90.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 81.162 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 73.791 | 100.0 |
Expect about 15.1% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Abilene at 90.364 vs Fontana at 106.442.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 15.1% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $639,032 to $210,016 moving to Abilene.
YoY change: Fontana -1.8%, Abilene +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fontana | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 25.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Fontana (66.8Β°F) and Abilene (65.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Abilene averages 3.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fontana | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,921 | 127,130 |
| Median household income | $98,187 | $62,720 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.7% | 17.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 2.72 |
Expect median household income to fall 15.1% β $98,187 β $62,720 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Abilene MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 10,850 | $37,990 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 7,210 | $26,270 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 6,750 | $29,820 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 5,560 | $73,610 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 5,460 | $35,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Abilene average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Abilene, TX from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance is 1211 mi and the route typically takes 20h 46m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fontana to Abilene?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1211 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Abilene more expensive than Fontana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Abilene is 15.1% lower than Fontana (90.364 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Abilene compared to Fontana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,016 in Abilene vs $639,032 in Fontana β a 67.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fontana vs Abilene?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,720 in Abilene vs $98,187 in Fontana β a 36.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Abilene compare to Fontana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $38,680 in the Abilene MSA vs $47,450 in the Fontana MSA, on total employment of 72,780 and 1,661,860 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 Fontana.
City profiles: Fontana, CA Β· Abilene, TX.