Moving from Tyler, TX to Fontana, CA
It is 1493 mi between Tyler and Fontana β roughly 25h 37m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1493 mi Β· 25h 37m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Pomona, Victorville, West Covina |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tyler | Fontana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.156 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.904 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.911 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Fontana runs about 15.5% more expensive overall than Tyler β RPP 92.156 β 106.442.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $251,563 in Tyler to $639,032 in Fontana, a 15.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Tyler -1.0%, Fontana -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tyler | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.7" | 11.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.5Β°F vs 66.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TYLER, TX US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tyler | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,718 | 211,921 |
| Median household income | $65,527 | $98,187 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.4% | 14.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.86 | 3.71 |
Fontana households earn about 15.5% more than Tyler at the median β $65,527 β $98,187 on ACS 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 Texas 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Fontana, CA from Tyler, TX?
The driving distance is 1493 mi and the route typically takes 25h 37m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fontana more expensive than Tyler?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fontana is 15.5% higher than Tyler (106.442 vs 92.156, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Tyler to Fontana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1493 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 Tyler?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $639,032 in Fontana vs $251,563 in Tyler β a 154.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Tyler vs Fontana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,187 in Fontana vs $65,527 in Tyler β a 49.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fontana compare to Tyler?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Fontana MSA vs $39,080 in the Tyler MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 111,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tyler.
City profiles: Tyler, TX Β· Fontana, CA.