Moving from Tacoma, WA to Ontario, CA
Relocating 1141 mi from Tacoma to Ontario is a 21h 38m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1141 mi Β· 21h 38m by car Β· WA β OR β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Vancouver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Ontario | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Tacoma and Ontario sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $493,840 in Tacoma to $672,742 in Ontario, a 4.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Ontario -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 11.6" |
Expect 13.1Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 178,347 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $82,806 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 3.39 |
Household income lines up β $83,857 vs $82,806 on ACS 5-year 2023.
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.
Moving between Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.1Β°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 Ontario compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $672,742 in Ontario vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 36.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Ontario compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Ontario MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Ontario more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ontario is 4.2% lower than Tacoma (106.442 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Ontario?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1141 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 Tacoma vs Ontario?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,806 in Ontario vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 1.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Ontario, CA from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 1141 mi and the route typically takes 21h 38m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 3 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 Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Ontario, CA.