Moving from Fontana, CA to Elizabeth, NJ
It is 2739 mi and 48h 51m from Fontana to Elizabeth β a cross-country move across 12 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.
2739 mi Β· 48h 51m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Riverside, San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Ontario |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fontana | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Elizabeth runs about 5.8% more expensive overall than Fontana β RPP 106.442 β 112.563.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Elizabeth run about 5.8% cheaper β ZHVI $639,032 β $534,667 (2026-03).
YoY change: Fontana -1.8%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fontana | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 46.6" |
Expect 11.3Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Elizabeth sees 31.5 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fontana | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,921 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $98,187 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.7% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 2.96 |
Expect median household income to fall 5.8% β $98,187 β $63,874 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elizabeth MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- 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.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Elizabeth averages 31.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.3Β°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 New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Fontana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $47,450 in the Fontana MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance is 2739 mi and the route typically takes 48h 51m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Fontana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $639,032 in Fontana β a 16.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Fontana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 5.8% higher than Fontana (112.563 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Fontana to Elizabeth?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2739 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Fontana vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $98,187 in Fontana β a 34.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fontana.
City profiles: Fontana, CA Β· Elizabeth, NJ.