Moving from Orange, CA to Fontana, CA
Relocating from Orange, CA to Fontana, CA? The drive is 45 mi β about 57 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.
45 mi Β· 57 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 60, CA 57, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Victorville, San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Rialto, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Orange | Fontana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.3% moving from Orange to Fontana β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,143,788 in Orange to $639,032 in Fontana, a 6.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Orange +0.5%, Fontana -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Orange | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 11.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.1Β°F vs 66.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Orange | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 211,921 |
| Median household income | $116,945 | $98,187 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.9% | 14.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.09 | 3.71 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 6.3% lower in Fontana than Orange.
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.
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 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.
- 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 Fontana compare to Orange?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Fontana MSA vs $50,490 in the Orange MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Orange to Fontana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 45 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fontana more expensive than Orange?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fontana is 6.3% lower than Orange (106.442 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fontana compared to Orange?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $639,032 in Fontana vs $1,143,788 in Orange β a 44.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Orange vs Fontana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,187 in Fontana vs $116,945 in Orange β a 16.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Fontana, CA from Orange, CA?
The driving distance is 45 mi and the route typically takes 57 min via CA 60 and CA 57. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Orange.
City profiles: Orange, CA Β· Fontana, CA.