Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Fontana, CA
It is a 203 mi drive, roughly 4h 9m, between Santa Maria, CA and Fontana, 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.
203 mi Β· 4h 9m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 134, US 101, CA 210 |
| 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
| Santa Maria | Fontana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.798 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 149.807 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.394 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Santa Maria to Fontana β $658,011 vs $639,032 (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Fontana -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 11.6" |
Annual temperature rises 8.2Β°F moving to Fontana per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 211,921 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $98,187 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 14.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 3.71 |
Households in Fontana earn about 2.2% 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
When is the best time to move from Santa Maria to Fontana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 203 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Santa Maria vs Fontana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,187 in Fontana vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 16.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Fontana more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fontana is 2.2% lower than Santa Maria (106.442 vs 108.798, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Fontana compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Fontana MSA vs $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 202,410 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Fontana, CA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 203 mi and the route typically takes 4h 9m via CA 134 and US 101. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fontana compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $639,032 in Fontana vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 2.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Maria.
City profiles: Santa Maria, CA Β· Fontana, CA.