Moving from Hillsboro, OR to Ontario, CA
It is 1005 mi between Hillsboro and Ontario β roughly 19h 4m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 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.
1005 mi Β· 19h 4m by car Β· CA β OR
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 210, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, Irvine, San Bernardino, Fontana, Moreno Valley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hillsboro | Ontario | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Hillsboro and Ontario sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $522,557 in Hillsboro to $672,742 in Ontario, a 1.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Hillsboro -3.7%, Ontario -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hillsboro | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 11.6" |
Annual temperature rises 14.3Β°F moving to Ontario per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND-HILLSBORO AP, OR US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hillsboro | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,050 | 178,347 |
| Median household income | $103,207 | $82,806 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.6% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 3.39 |
Households in Ontario earn about 1.0% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Ontario 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.
Moving between Oregon and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during 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 Ontario 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: Ontario sees only 11.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.3Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Ontario, CA from Hillsboro, OR?
The driving distance is 1005 mi and the route typically takes 19h 4m via I 5 and I 210. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Hillsboro vs Ontario?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,806 in Ontario vs $103,207 in Hillsboro β a 19.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Ontario compare to Hillsboro?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Ontario MSA vs $55,940 in the Hillsboro MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Ontario more expensive than Hillsboro?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ontario is 1.0% higher than Hillsboro (106.442 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Ontario compared to Hillsboro?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $672,742 in Ontario vs $522,557 in Hillsboro β a 28.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Hillsboro to Ontario?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1005 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Hillsboro.
City profiles: Hillsboro, OR Β· Ontario, CA.