Moving from Fontana, CA to Huntington Beach, CA
It is a 56 mi drive, roughly 1h 15m, between Fontana, CA and Huntington Beach, CA. 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.
56 mi Β· 1h 15m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 57, CA 60, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Victorville, San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Rialto, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fontana | Huntington Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 6.7% above Fontana β 106.442 β 113.566 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.7% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fontana -1.8%, Huntington Beach +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fontana | Huntington Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 79Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 11.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fontana | Huntington Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,921 | 196,010 |
| Median household income | $98,187 | $119,885 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 43.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.7% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 2.53 |
Huntington Beach households earn about 6.7% more than Fontana at the median β $98,187 β $119,885 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Huntington Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- Dry climate: Huntington Beach sees only 11.2 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Huntington Beach, CA from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance is 56 mi and the route typically takes 1h 15m via CA 57 and CA 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Huntington Beach compared to Fontana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,366,658 in Huntington Beach vs $639,032 in Fontana β a 113.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Huntington Beach more expensive than Fontana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Huntington Beach is 6.7% higher than Fontana (113.566 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Fontana to Huntington Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 56 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 Huntington Beach compare to Fontana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Huntington Beach MSA vs $47,450 in the Fontana MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Fontana vs Huntington Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,885 in Huntington Beach vs $98,187 in Fontana β a 22.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fontana.
City profiles: Fontana, CA Β· Huntington Beach, CA.