Moving from San Mateo, CA to Fontana, CA
Moving from San Mateo, CA to Fontana, CA covers 411 mi and about 7h 47m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
411 mi Β· 7h 47m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 152, US 101 |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Rialto, Corona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | Fontana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 115.613 to 106.442, putting Fontana roughly 7.9% below San Mateo on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Fontana: 7.9% below San Mateo on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Fontana -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 11.6" |
Fontana runs 8.1Β°F warmer on the annual average (58.7Β°F vs 66.8Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 211,921 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $98,187 |
| Median age | 38 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 14.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.71 |
Median household income in Fontana is 7.9% below San Mateo ($152,669 vs $98,187, ACS 5-year 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 does the job market in Fontana compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Fontana MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Fontana, CA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 411 mi and the route typically takes 7h 47m via I 5 and CA 152. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Fontana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 411 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 Fontana compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $639,032 in Fontana vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 62.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Fontana more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fontana is 7.9% lower than San Mateo (106.442 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Fontana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,187 in Fontana vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 35.7% lower 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 San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Fontana, CA.