Moving from Fontana, CA to Elk Grove, CA
Relocating between Fontana, CA and Elk Grove, CA is a 416 mi drive β 7h 45m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
416 mi Β· 7h 45m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 210, I 5 TRUCK |
| 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 | Elk Grove | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
Fontana and Elk Grove 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 for Elk Grove ($637,450) sits close to Fontana ($639,032) β no material housing gap.
YoY change: Fontana -1.8%, Elk Grove -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fontana | Elk Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 18.1" |
Expect 5.0Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fontana | Elk Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,921 | 177,221 |
| Median household income | $98,187 | $122,229 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.7% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 3.24 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.2% β $98,187 β $122,229 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elk Grove MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
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 Elk Grove average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
Is Elk Grove more expensive than Fontana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elk Grove is 0.2% higher than Fontana (106.67 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Elk Grove, CA from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance is 416 mi and the route typically takes 7h 45m via I 5 and CA 210. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fontana vs Elk Grove?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $122,229 in Elk Grove vs $98,187 in Fontana β a 24.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Elk Grove compared to Fontana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $637,450 in Elk Grove vs $639,032 in Fontana β a 0.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Elk Grove compare to Fontana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA vs $47,450 in the Fontana MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Fontana to Elk Grove?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 416 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fontana.
City profiles: Fontana, CA Β· Elk Grove, CA.