Moving from Riverside, CA to Fontana, CA
Moving from Riverside, CA to Fontana, CA is a 18 mi drive, about 28 min by car. This is a local relocation β same-day moves are typical β but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
18 mi Β· 28 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 60, CA 91, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Corona, Orange, Murrieta, Menifee |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Riverside | Fontana | 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 Fontana and Riverside 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 values in Riverside and Fontana are within 5% of each other ($646,784 vs $639,032 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Riverside -1.4%, Fontana -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Riverside | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 10.0" | 11.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Riverside (66.9Β°F) and Fontana (66.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Riverside | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 211,921 |
| Median household income | $88,575 | $98,187 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 14.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.42 | 3.71 |
Median household income in Fontana is 0.0% above Riverside ($88,575 β $98,187, ACS 2023).
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 much do homes cost in Fontana compared to Riverside?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $639,032 in Fontana vs $646,784 in Riverside β a 1.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Riverside to Fontana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 18 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fontana, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance is 18 mi and the route typically takes 28 min via CA 60 and CA 91. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fontana compare to Riverside?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Fontana MSA vs $47,450 in the Riverside 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 does household income compare in Riverside vs Fontana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,187 in Fontana vs $88,575 in Riverside β a 10.9% 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 Riverside.
City profiles: Riverside, CA Β· Fontana, CA.