Moving from Riverside, CA to Ontario, CA
Relocating from Riverside, CA to Ontario, CA? The drive is 16 mi β about 26 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.
16 mi Β· 26 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 60 |
| Major cities en route | Murrieta, Menifee, Moreno Valley, San Bernardino, Corona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Riverside | 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 |
Riverside and Ontario sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Ontario ($672,742) sits close to Riverside ($646,784) β no material housing gap.
YoY change: Riverside -1.4%, Ontario -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Riverside | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| 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" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.9Β°F vs 66.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 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 | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 178,347 |
| Median household income | $88,575 | $82,806 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.42 | 3.39 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.0% lower in Ontario than Riverside.
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 Riverside?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Ontario 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 Ontario?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,806 in Ontario vs $88,575 in Riverside β a 6.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Riverside to Ontario?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 16 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Ontario compared to Riverside?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $672,742 in Ontario vs $646,784 in Riverside β a 4.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Ontario, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance is 16 mi and the route typically takes 26 min via 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 Riverside.
City profiles: Riverside, CA Β· Ontario, CA.