Moving from Pasadena, CA to Ontario, CA
It is a short 37 mi hop from Pasadena, CA to Ontario, CA β roughly 49 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
37 mi Β· 49 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 210, CA 60, CA 71 |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, San Bernardino, Fontana, Moreno Valley, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pasadena | Ontario | 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 Pasadena to Ontario 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 $1,209,228 in Pasadena to $672,742 in Ontario, a 6.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Pasadena -1.0%, Ontario -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pasadena | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 20.1" | 11.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.0Β°F vs 66.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PASADENA, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,462 | 178,347 |
| Median household income | $103,778 | $82,806 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 3.39 |
Ontario households earn about 6.3% less than Pasadena at the median β $103,778 β $82,806 on ACS 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.
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 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Ontario compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Ontario MSA vs $50,490 in the Pasadena 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 Pasadena to Ontario?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 37 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Pasadena vs Ontario?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,806 in Ontario vs $103,778 in Pasadena β a 20.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Ontario compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $672,742 in Ontario vs $1,209,228 in Pasadena β a 44.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Ontario more expensive than Pasadena?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ontario is 6.3% lower than Pasadena (106.442 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Ontario, CA from Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance is 37 mi and the route typically takes 49 min via I 210 and CA 60. 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 Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, CA Β· Ontario, CA.