Moving from Vallejo, CA to Ontario, CA
It is a 422 mi drive, roughly 7h 54m, between Vallejo, CA and Ontario, 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.
422 mi Β· 7h 54m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 210, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, San Bernardino, Fontana, Moreno Valley, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Vallejo | Ontario | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 108.479 vs 106.442 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.9% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $520,970 to $672,742 moving to Ontario.
YoY change: Vallejo -5.4%, Ontario -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Vallejo | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 21.5" | 11.6" |
Annual temperature rises 5.2Β°F moving to Ontario per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: VALLEJO, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Vallejo | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,637 | 178,347 |
| Median household income | $89,496 | $82,806 |
| Median age | 40 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.7% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 3.39 |
Households in Ontario earn about 1.9% less at the median β 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.
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 Vallejo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $672,742 in Ontario vs $520,970 in Vallejo β a 29.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Vallejo to Ontario?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 422 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Ontario more expensive than Vallejo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ontario is 1.9% lower than Vallejo (106.442 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Ontario, CA from Vallejo, CA?
The driving distance is 422 mi and the route typically takes 7h 54m via I 5 and I 210. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Ontario compare to Vallejo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Ontario MSA vs $53,520 in the Vallejo MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Vallejo vs Ontario?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,806 in Ontario vs $89,496 in Vallejo β a 7.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Vallejo.
City profiles: Vallejo, CA Β· Ontario, CA.