Moving from Springfield, MA to Fontana, CA
Moving from Springfield, MA to Fontana, CA is a 2859 mi cross-country relocation β about 51h 29m of driving through 13 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2859 mi Β· 51h 29m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY β MA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY β MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Riverside, San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Ontario |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Fontana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.061 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.996 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.015 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.781 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 10.8% pricier overall in Fontana than Springfield on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Fontana typical home at $639,032 is 10.8% above Springfield at $294,613 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Springfield +3.5%, Fontana -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 45.2" | 11.6" |
NOAA normals show Fontana running 17.4Β°F above Springfield on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WESTFIELD BARNES MUNI AP, MA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | 211,921 |
| Median household income | $51,339 | $98,187 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.8% | 14.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.67 | 3.71 |
Median household income in Fontana is 10.8% above Springfield ($51,339 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.
Moving between Massachusetts and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.4Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Fontana compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $639,032 in Fontana vs $294,613 in Springfield β a 116.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Fontana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2859 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fontana more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fontana is 10.8% higher than Springfield (106.442 vs 96.061, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Fontana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,187 in Fontana vs $51,339 in Springfield β a 91.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Fontana, CA from Springfield, MA?
The driving distance is 2859 mi and the route typically takes 51h 29m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 13 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, MA Β· Fontana, CA.