Moving from Denton, TX to Fontana, CA
It is 1349 mi between Denton and Fontana β roughly 23h 28m 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.
1349 mi Β· 23h 28m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, US 82 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Riverside, Moreno Valley, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denton | Fontana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 103.09 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 3.3% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $354,135 to $639,032 moving to Fontana.
YoY change: Denton -4.4%, Fontana -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Denton | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.4" | 11.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Denton (65.4Β°F) and Fontana (66.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENTON 2 SE, TX US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denton | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,987 | 211,921 |
| Median household income | $73,719 | $98,187 |
| Median age | 31 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.9% | 14.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.71 |
Fontana households earn about 3.3% more than Denton at the median β $73,719 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 Denton, TX?
The driving distance is 1349 mi and the route typically takes 23h 28m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fontana compare to Denton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Fontana MSA vs $48,440 in the Denton MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Fontana compared to Denton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $639,032 in Fontana vs $354,135 in Denton β a 80.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Denton to Fontana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1349 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 Denton vs Fontana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,187 in Fontana vs $73,719 in Denton β a 33.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Fontana more expensive than Denton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fontana is 3.3% higher than Denton (106.442 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Denton.
City profiles: Denton, TX Β· Fontana, CA.