Moving from San Diego, CA to Ontario, CA
It is a 102 mi drive, roughly 2h 1m, between San Diego, CA and Ontario, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
102 mi Β· 2h 1m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, CA 60 |
| Major cities en route | Chula Vista, El Cajon, Escondido, Carlsbad, Oceanside |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Diego | Ontario | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.887 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 174.247 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.963 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 179.267 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
San Diego 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 drops from $1,001,265 in San Diego to $672,742 in Ontario, a 4.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: San Diego -3.2%, Ontario -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Diego | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 11.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.1Β°F vs 66.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN DIEGO MONTGOMERY FLD, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Diego | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 178,347 |
| Median household income | $104,321 | $82,806 |
| Median age | 36 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 3.39 |
Ontario households earn about 4.9% less than San Diego at the median β $104,321 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 San Diego?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Ontario MSA vs $53,090 in the San Diego MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 1,522,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Ontario more expensive than San Diego?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ontario is 4.9% lower than San Diego (106.442 vs 111.887, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Ontario compared to San Diego?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $672,742 in Ontario vs $1,001,265 in San Diego β a 32.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Ontario, CA from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance is 102 mi and the route typically takes 2h 1m via I 15 and CA 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in San Diego vs Ontario?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,806 in Ontario vs $104,321 in San Diego β a 20.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from San Diego to Ontario?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 102 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 San Diego.
City profiles: San Diego, CA Β· Ontario, CA.