Moving from Ontario, CA to Peoria, AZ
It is a 338 mi drive, roughly 6h 8m, between Ontario, CA and Peoria, AZ. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
338 mi Β· 6h 8m by car Β· AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 95, CA 60 |
| Major cities en route | Scottsdale, Phoenix, Surprise, Glendale, Tempe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ontario | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Ontario and Peoria 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 drops from $672,742 in Ontario to $488,596 in Peoria, a 2.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Ontario -1.7%, Peoria -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ontario | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 9.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.8Β°F vs 70.2Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Peoria sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ontario | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,347 | 194,338 |
| Median household income | $82,806 | $93,403 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 42.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.39 | 2.66 |
Households in Peoria earn about 2.9% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Peoria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 Peoria average 105Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Peoria sees only 9.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Ontario?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $488,596 in Peoria vs $672,742 in Ontario β a 27.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Ontario to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 338 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Ontario?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Peoria MSA vs $47,450 in the Ontario MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Peoria more expensive than Ontario?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 2.9% lower than Ontario (103.316 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Peoria, AZ from Ontario, CA?
The driving distance is 338 mi and the route typically takes 6h 8m via I 10 and US 95. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Ontario vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,403 in Peoria vs $82,806 in Ontario β a 12.8% 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 Ontario.
City profiles: Ontario, CA Β· Peoria, AZ.