Moving from Ontario, CA to San Jose, CA
Moving from Ontario, CA to San Jose, CA covers 371 mi and about 7h 4m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
371 mi Β· 7h 4m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Salinas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ontario | San Jose | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
San Jose and Ontario are close on the overall BEA RPP (106.442 vs 110.423); 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: San Jose typical home at $1,463,614 is 3.7% above Ontario at $672,742 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Ontario -1.7%, San Jose -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ontario | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 16.1" |
San Jose is 5.3Β°F cooler on the annual average (66.8Β°F vs 61.5Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: San Jose sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, SAN JOSE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ontario | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,347 | 990,054 |
| Median household income | $82,806 | $141,565 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 26.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.39 | 3.03 |
Median household income in San Jose is 3.7% above Ontario ($82,806 vs $141,565, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Jose MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
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
- 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 much do homes cost in San Jose compared to Ontario?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,463,614 in San Jose vs $672,742 in Ontario β a 117.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Ontario to San Jose?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 371 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is San Jose more expensive than Ontario?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Jose is 3.7% higher than Ontario (110.423 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is San Jose, CA from Ontario, CA?
The driving distance is 371 mi and the route typically takes 7h 4m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in San Jose compare to Ontario?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the San Jose MSA vs $47,450 in the Ontario MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Ontario vs San Jose?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $141,565 in San Jose vs $82,806 in Ontario β a 71.0% 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· San Jose, CA.