Moving from Ontario, CA to Riverside, CA
Relocating from Ontario, CA to Riverside, CA? The drive is 16 mi β about 26 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
16 mi Β· 26 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 60 |
| Major cities en route | Murrieta, Menifee, Moreno Valley, San Bernardino, Corona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ontario | Riverside | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Ontario to Riverside β $672,742 vs $646,784 (2026-03).
YoY change: Ontario -1.7%, Riverside -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ontario | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 10.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Riverside β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ontario | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,347 | 316,241 |
| Median household income | $82,806 | $88,575 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.39 | 3.42 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.0% higher in Riverside than Ontario.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Riverside 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 Riverside average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Riverside sees only 10.0 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 does the job market in Riverside compare to Ontario?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Riverside MSA vs $47,450 in the Ontario MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Riverside, CA from Ontario, CA?
The driving distance is 16 mi and the route typically takes 26 min via CA 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Ontario vs Riverside?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,575 in Riverside vs $82,806 in Ontario β a 7.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Ontario to Riverside?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 16 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Riverside compared to Ontario?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $646,784 in Riverside vs $672,742 in Ontario β a 3.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Ontario.
City profiles: Ontario, CA Β· Riverside, CA.