Moving from Fontana, CA to Waco, TX
It is 1381 mi between Fontana and Waco β roughly 24h 12m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1381 mi Β· 24h 12m 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, US 180, US 84 |
| 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 | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 13.1% moving from Fontana to Waco β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $639,032 in Fontana to $194,245 in Waco, a 13.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fontana -1.8%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fontana | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 37.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.8Β°F vs 66.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Waco sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fontana | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,921 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $98,187 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.7% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 2.68 |
Waco households earn about 13.1% less than Fontana at the median β $98,187 β $51,468 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Waco MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,230 | $37,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,590 | $27,240 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,990 | $34,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 10,750 | $35,750 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 10,020 | $58,350 |
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 Waco average 95Β°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
Is Waco more expensive than Fontana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 13.1% lower than Fontana (92.55 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 Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1381 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 Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $98,187 in Fontana β a 47.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Fontana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $639,032 in Fontana β a 69.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Fontana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $47,450 in the Fontana MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Waco, TX from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance is 1381 mi and the route typically takes 24h 12m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fontana.
City profiles: Fontana, CA Β· Waco, TX.