Moving from Palm Bay, FL to Ontario, CA
It is 2536 mi and 44h 36m from Palm Bay to Ontario β a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2536 mi Β· 44h 36m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palm Bay | Ontario | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.005 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.064 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.731 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 6.4% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.4% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $302,461 to $672,742 moving to Ontario.
YoY change: Palm Bay -4.0%, Ontario -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palm Bay | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 11.6" |
Expect 5.8Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PALM BAY, FL US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palm Bay | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 178,347 |
| Median household income | $67,521 | $82,806 |
| Median age | 41.3 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.4% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 3.39 |
Expect median household income to rise 6.4% β $67,521 β $82,806 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Ontario 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 Florida 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Ontario 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: Ontario 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Ontario, CA from Palm Bay, FL?
The driving distance is 2536 mi and the route typically takes 44h 36m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Ontario compare to Palm Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Ontario MSA vs $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 236,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Ontario more expensive than Palm Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ontario is 6.4% higher than Palm Bay (106.442 vs 100.005, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Palm Bay vs Ontario?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,806 in Ontario vs $67,521 in Palm Bay β a 22.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Ontario compared to Palm Bay?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $672,742 in Ontario vs $302,461 in Palm Bay β a 122.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Palm Bay to Ontario?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2536 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Palm Bay.
City profiles: Palm Bay, FL Β· Ontario, CA.