Moving from Fontana, CA to Henderson, NV
It is a 221 mi drive, roughly 4h 12m, between Fontana, CA and Henderson, NV. 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.
221 mi Β· 4h 12m by car Β· NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15 ALT, I 15, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | North Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Victorville, San Bernardino, Rialto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fontana | Henderson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 100.215 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 90.646 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 96.271 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 115.538 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.9% moving from Fontana to Henderson β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $639,032 in Fontana to $486,156 in Henderson, a 5.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fontana -1.8%, Henderson -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fontana | Henderson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 4.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.8Β°F vs 70.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Henderson sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, LAS VEGAS MCCARRAN AP, NV US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fontana | Henderson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,921 | 324,523 |
| Median household income | $98,187 | $88,654 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.7% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 2.55 |
Households in Henderson earn about 5.9% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Henderson MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 160,280 | $30,760 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 128,870 | $40,480 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 100,030 | $37,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 95,490 | $34,410 |
| Management Occupations | 81,830 | $91,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Nevada
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nevada'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
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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 Henderson average 105Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Henderson sees only 4.2 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Nevada after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Henderson, NV from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance is 221 mi and the route typically takes 4h 12m via I 15 ALT and I 15. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fontana to Henderson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 221 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 Henderson compare to Fontana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,510 in the Henderson MSA vs $47,450 in the Fontana MSA, on total employment of 1,083,320 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Henderson more expensive than Fontana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Henderson is 5.9% lower than Fontana (100.215 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fontana vs Henderson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,654 in Henderson vs $98,187 in Fontana β a 9.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Henderson compared to Fontana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $486,156 in Henderson vs $639,032 in Fontana β a 23.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fontana.
City profiles: Fontana, CA Β· Henderson, NV.