Moving from Fontana, CA to Berkeley, CA
Moving from Fontana, CA to Berkeley, CA covers 419 mi and about 7h 48m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
419 mi Β· 7h 48m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 580, CA 210 |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Rialto, Corona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fontana | Berkeley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Berkeley is 8.6% higher than Fontana, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Berkeley is 8.6% above Fontana β $639,032 vs $1,443,684 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Fontana -1.8%, Berkeley -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fontana | Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 74Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 26.1" |
Berkeley is 8.3Β°F cooler on the annual average (66.8Β°F vs 58.5Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Berkeley gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, BERKELEY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fontana | Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,921 | 120,223 |
| Median household income | $98,187 | $108,558 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 32.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.7% | 33.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 2.57 |
Median household income in Berkeley is 8.6% above Fontana ($98,187 β $108,558, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Berkeley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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
- 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 far is Berkeley, CA from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance is 419 mi and the route typically takes 7h 48m via I 5 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fontana vs Berkeley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $108,558 in Berkeley vs $98,187 in Fontana β a 10.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Berkeley compared to Fontana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,443,684 in Berkeley vs $639,032 in Fontana β a 125.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fontana to Berkeley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 419 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 Berkeley compare to Fontana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Berkeley MSA vs $47,450 in the Fontana MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Berkeley more expensive than Fontana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Berkeley is 8.6% higher than Fontana (115.613 vs 106.442, 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 Fontana.
City profiles: Fontana, CA Β· Berkeley, CA.