Moving from Rancho Cucamonga, CA to Ontario, CA
The drive from Rancho Cucamonga to Ontario covers 10 mi in about 18 min. Local moves still matter β school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
10 mi Β· 18 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Garden Grove, Pomona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rancho Cucamonga | Ontario | 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 |
Overall cost of living in Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Ontario is 0.0% below Rancho Cucamonga ($672,742 vs $792,765 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Rancho Cucamonga -0.6%, Ontario -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rancho Cucamonga | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 11.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Rancho Cucamonga (66.8Β°F) and Ontario (66.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rancho Cucamonga | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 174,693 | 178,347 |
| Median household income | $109,511 | $82,806 |
| Median age | 37.9 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.8% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.01 | 3.39 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.0% between Rancho Cucamonga and Ontario (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 household income compare in Rancho Cucamonga vs Ontario?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,806 in Ontario vs $109,511 in Rancho Cucamonga β a 24.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Rancho Cucamonga to Ontario?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 10 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Ontario compare to Rancho Cucamonga?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Ontario MSA vs $47,450 in the Rancho Cucamonga 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 much do homes cost in Ontario compared to Rancho Cucamonga?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $672,742 in Ontario vs $792,765 in Rancho Cucamonga β a 15.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Ontario, CA from Rancho Cucamonga, CA?
The driving distance is 10 mi and the route typically takes 18 min via the primary interstate. 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 Rancho Cucamonga.
City profiles: Rancho Cucamonga, CA Β· Ontario, CA.