Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Ontario, CA
The drive from Santa Ana to Ontario covers 36 mi in about 46 min. Local moves still matter β school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
36 mi Β· 46 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 57, CA 60, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Long Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | Ontario | 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 |
RPP moves from 113.566 to 106.442, putting Ontario roughly 6.3% below Santa Ana on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Ontario: 6.3% below Santa Ana on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Ontario -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Ana | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 178,347 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $82,806 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 3.39 |
Income steps down 6.3%: $88,354 in Santa Ana vs $82,806 in Ontario.
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 much do homes cost in Ontario compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $672,742 in Ontario vs $866,066 in Santa Ana β a 22.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Ontario?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,806 in Ontario vs $88,354 in Santa Ana β a 6.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Ontario compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Ontario 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.
How far is Ontario, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 36 mi and the route typically takes 46 min via CA 57 and CA 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Ontario more expensive than Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ontario 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.
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Ontario?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 36 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 Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA Β· Ontario, CA.