Moving from Bellevue, WA to Fontana, CA
It is 1182 mi between Bellevue and Fontana β roughly 22h 28m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
1182 mi Β· 22h 28m by car Β· CA β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 210, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Corona, Jurupa Valley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bellevue | Fontana | 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 |
Bellevue and Fontana 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 drops from $1,516,154 in Bellevue to $639,032 in Fontana, a 4.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Bellevue -2.7%, Fontana -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bellevue | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 11.6" |
Annual temperature rises 13.6Β°F moving to Fontana per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bellevue | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 211,921 |
| Median household income | $161,300 | $98,187 |
| Median age | 38.3 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 14.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 3.71 |
Fontana households earn about 4.2% less than Bellevue at the median β $161,300 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 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 (13.6Β°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 does household income compare in Bellevue vs Fontana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,187 in Fontana vs $161,300 in Bellevue β a 39.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Bellevue to Fontana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1182 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Fontana compare to Bellevue?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Fontana MSA vs $65,260 in the Bellevue 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.
How far is Fontana, CA from Bellevue, WA?
The driving distance is 1182 mi and the route typically takes 22h 28m via I 5 and CA 210. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fontana more expensive than Bellevue?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fontana is 4.2% lower than Bellevue (106.442 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fontana compared to Bellevue?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $639,032 in Fontana vs $1,516,154 in Bellevue β a 57.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Bellevue.
City profiles: Bellevue, WA Β· Fontana, CA.