Moving from Fontana, CA to Murrieta, CA
The drive from Fontana to Murrieta covers 48 mi in about 1h 3m. Local moves still matter β school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
48 mi Β· 1h 3m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 215 TRUCK, CA 60, I 215 |
| Major cities en route | Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Pomona, West Covina, San Bernardino |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fontana | Murrieta | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Murrieta 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 Murrieta is 0.0% above Fontana ($688,358 vs $639,032 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fontana -1.8%, Murrieta -1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fontana | Murrieta |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 15.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Fontana (66.8Β°F) and Murrieta (65.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, FALLBROOK 5 NE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fontana | Murrieta |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,921 | 111,621 |
| Median household income | $98,187 | $109,780 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 36 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.7% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 3.15 |
Income steps up 0.0%: $98,187 in Fontana vs $109,780 in Murrieta.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Murrieta 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
- 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
How far is Murrieta, CA from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance is 48 mi and the route typically takes 1h 3m via I 215 TRUCK and CA 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Murrieta compare to Fontana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Murrieta MSA vs $47,450 in the Fontana MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 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 Murrieta?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 48 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Murrieta compared to Fontana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $688,358 in Murrieta vs $639,032 in Fontana β a 7.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fontana vs Murrieta?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,780 in Murrieta vs $98,187 in Fontana β a 11.8% higher 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· Murrieta, CA.