Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Fontana, CA
It is a short 49 mi hop from Santa Ana, CA to Fontana, CA β roughly 1h 3m behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
49 mi Β· 1h 3m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 57, CA 60, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | Fontana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 6.3% cheaper overall in Fontana than Santa Ana on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Fontana -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Ana | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 11.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 211,921 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $98,187 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 14.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 3.71 |
Households in Fontana earn about 6.3% more at the median β 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 household income compare in Santa Ana vs Fontana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,187 in Fontana vs $88,354 in Santa Ana β a 11.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Fontana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 49 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 Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $639,032 in Fontana vs $866,066 in Santa Ana β a 26.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Fontana, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 49 mi and the route typically takes 1h 3m via CA 57 and CA 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fontana compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Fontana MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Fontana more expensive than Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fontana is 6.3% lower than Santa Ana (106.442 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA Β· Fontana, CA.