Moving from Fontana, CA to Irvine, CA
The drive from Fontana to Irvine covers 47 mi in about 1h 5m. Local moves still matter β school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
47 mi Β· 1h 5m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, CA 261 TOLL, CA 91 |
| Major cities en route | Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Santa Ana, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fontana | Irvine | 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 cost of living in Irvine is 6.7% 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 Irvine is 6.7% above Fontana β $639,032 vs $1,557,982 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Fontana -1.8%, Irvine -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fontana | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 14.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Fontana (66.8Β°F) and Irvine (64.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Irvine 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, TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fontana | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,921 | 308,160 |
| Median household income | $98,187 | $129,647 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.7% | 39.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 2.75 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 6.7% between Fontana and Irvine (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irvine 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: Irvine sees only 14.1 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 Irvine, CA from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance is 47 mi and the route typically takes 1h 5m via I 15 and CA 261 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Irvine compare to Fontana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Irvine 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 Irvine?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,647 in Irvine vs $98,187 in Fontana β a 32.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Irvine compared to Fontana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,557,982 in Irvine vs $639,032 in Fontana β a 143.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Irvine more expensive than Fontana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irvine 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 Irvine?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 47 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· Irvine, CA.