Moving from Fontana, CA to Goodyear, AZ

Moving from Fontana, CA to Goodyear, AZ covers 322 mi and about 6h 9m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β€” the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.

322 mi Β· 6h 9m by car Β· CA β†’ AZ

COL -2.9% Home values -26.5% Ξ” +7.1Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
322 mi
Drive time
6h 9m
States
2
Fuel (25 mpg)
13 gal
Route throughCA β†’ AZ
Primary highwaysI 10, US 80 HIST, AZ 85
Major cities en routeRancho Cucamonga, Pomona, Victorville, West Covina, Rialto

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

FontanaGoodyearU.S. avg
All items (RPP)106.442103.316100.0
Rents148.64193.332100.0
Goods101.43195.024100.0
Services129.312121.236100.0

Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Fontana (106.442) and Goodyear (103.316) are within a few points of each other.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Fontana β€” typical home
$639,032
Goodyear β€” typical home
$469,424
Fontana β€” typical rent
$3,071/mo
Goodyear β€” typical rent
$1,796/mo

Homes run dramatically cheaper in Goodyear: 2.9% below Fontana on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).

YoY change: Fontana -1.8%, Goodyear -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsFontanaGoodyear
Annual avg temperature67Β°F74Β°F
January avg low45Β°F43Β°F
July avg high94Β°F107Β°F
Annual snowfallβ€”0.0"
Annual precipitation11.6"7.4"

Goodyear runs 7.1Β°F warmer on the annual average (66.8Β°F vs 73.9Β°F, NOAA 1991–2020).

Effectively snow-free year in Goodyear β€” NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023FontanaGoodyear
Population211,921102,891
Median household income$98,187$101,814
Median age33.340.8
Bachelor's degree or higher14.7%22.2%
Avg household size3.712.87

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

Fontana MSA β€” median wage
$47,450
Goodyear MSA β€” median wage
$48,600
Fontana MSA β€” employment
1,661,860
Goodyear MSA β€” employment
2,289,130

Top occupations in Goodyear MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian wage
Office and Administrative Support Occupations 314,170 $45,080
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 205,010 $34,400
Sales and Related Occupations 204,700 $37,700
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 199,140 $40,870
Management Occupations 170,690 $105,420

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Moving between California and Arizona

California income tax
13.3% top marginal
Arizona income tax
2.5% top marginal

State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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 20–30% 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.

State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.

Packing & arrival checklist

  • Air conditioning matters: July highs in Goodyear average 107Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
  • Dry climate: Goodyear sees only 7.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
  • 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 Arizona after establishing residency.

Frequently asked

How does the job market in Goodyear compare to Fontana?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA vs $47,450 in the Fontana MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

When is the best time to move from Fontana to Goodyear?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 322 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 Goodyear?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $101,814 in Goodyear vs $98,187 in Fontana β€” a 3.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

How much do homes cost in Goodyear compared to Fontana?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,424 in Goodyear vs $639,032 in Fontana β€” a 26.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How far is Goodyear, AZ from Fontana, CA?

The driving distance is 322 mi and the route typically takes 6h 9m via I 10 and US 80 HIST. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Is Goodyear more expensive than Fontana?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Goodyear is 2.9% lower than Fontana (103.316 vs 106.442, 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 Fontana.

City profiles: Fontana, CA Β· Goodyear, AZ.

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