Moving from Lowell, MA to Fontana, CA
Moving from Lowell, MA to Fontana, CA is a 2953 mi cross-country relocation β about 52h 59m of driving through 13 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2953 mi Β· 52h 59m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY β CT β MA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY β CT β MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Riverside, San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Ontario |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lowell | Fontana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Fontana and Lowell are close on the overall BEA RPP (108.266 vs 106.442); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Fontana typical home at $639,032 is 1.7% above Lowell at $480,319 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Lowell +0.4%, Fontana -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lowell | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.5" | 11.6" |
NOAA normals show Fontana running 17.8Β°F above Lowell on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LOWELL, MA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lowell | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 211,921 |
| Median household income | $76,205 | $98,187 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18% | 14.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.71 | 3.71 |
Median household income in Fontana is 1.7% above Lowell ($76,205 vs $98,187, ACS 5-year 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.
Moving between Massachusetts 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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.8Β°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
When is the best time to move from Lowell to Fontana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2953 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fontana, CA from Lowell, MA?
The driving distance is 2953 mi and the route typically takes 52h 59m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 13 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fontana more expensive than Lowell?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fontana is 1.7% lower than Lowell (106.442 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fontana compared to Lowell?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $639,032 in Fontana vs $480,319 in Lowell β a 33.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Lowell vs Fontana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,187 in Fontana vs $76,205 in Lowell β a 28.8% 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 Lowell.
City profiles: Lowell, MA Β· Fontana, CA.