Moving from Fontana, CA to Chicago, IL
Cross-country relocations like Fontana, CA β Chicago, IL cover 1970 mi and about 34h 33m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1970 mi Β· 34h 33m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Aurora, Joliet, Elgin, Rockford |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fontana | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Chicago and Fontana 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 Chicago is 2.7% below Fontana β $639,032 vs $317,283 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fontana -1.8%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fontana | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | β |
Chicago runs 16.0Β°F colder on the annual average (66.8Β°F vs 50.8Β°F) β expect a noticeably different year.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fontana | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,921 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $98,187 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.7% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 2.36 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 2.7% between Fontana and Chicago (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chicago MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (16.0Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Chicago more expensive than Fontana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 2.7% lower than Fontana (103.595 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Fontana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $639,032 in Fontana β a 50.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Chicago compare to Fontana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $47,450 in the Fontana MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Fontana vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $98,187 in Fontana β a 23.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Chicago, IL from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance is 1970 mi and the route typically takes 34h 33m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fontana to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1970 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 Fontana.
City profiles: Fontana, CA Β· Chicago, IL.