Moving from Garden Grove, CA to Fontana, CA
Moving from Garden Grove, CA to Fontana, CA is a 49 mi drive, about 1h 4m by car. This is a local relocation β same-day moves are typical β but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
49 mi Β· 1h 4m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 57, CA 60, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Victorville, San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Rialto, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garden Grove | Fontana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Fontana are 6.3% below Garden Grove β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Fontana typical home at $639,032 is 6.3% under Garden Grove at $1,013,183 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Garden Grove +1.4%, Fontana -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Garden Grove | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 11.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.1Β°F vs 66.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garden Grove | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 211,921 |
| Median household income | $90,166 | $98,187 |
| Median age | 39.6 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 14.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.51 | 3.71 |
Median household income in Fontana is 6.3% above Garden Grove ($90,166 β $98,187, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fontana 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Fontana average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Fontana sees only 11.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Fontana, CA from Garden Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 49 mi and the route typically takes 1h 4m via CA 57 and CA 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fontana more expensive than Garden Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fontana is 6.3% lower than Garden Grove (106.442 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fontana compared to Garden Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $639,032 in Fontana vs $1,013,183 in Garden Grove β a 36.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Garden Grove to Fontana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 49 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 Garden Grove vs Fontana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,187 in Fontana vs $90,166 in Garden Grove β a 8.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fontana compare to Garden Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Fontana MSA vs $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Garden Grove.
City profiles: Garden Grove, CA Β· Fontana, CA.