Moving from Fontana, CA to Little Rock, AR
Cross-country relocations like Fontana, CA β Little Rock, AR cover 1619 mi and about 27h 49m of driving through 6 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1619 mi Β· 27h 49m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 270, OK 3 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Riverside, Moreno Valley, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fontana | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Little Rock is 16.0% cheaper than Fontana overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Little Rock is 16.0% below Fontana β $639,032 vs $216,519 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fontana -1.8%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fontana | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 50.4" |
Climate cools by 5.1Β°F on the annual average β 66.8Β°F β 61.7Β°F.
Little Rock averages 3.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fontana | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,921 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $98,187 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.7% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 2.33 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 16.0% between Fontana and Little Rock (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Little Rock MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 43,980 | $37,850 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,840 | $37,820 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,830 | $31,870 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 30,330 | $67,930 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 29,950 | $27,320 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Arkansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arkansas'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Little Rock average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Little Rock averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Tornado risk peaks April through May β identify a safe room on day one.
- 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 Arkansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Fontana vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $98,187 in Fontana β a 38.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fontana to Little Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1619 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 Little Rock compare to Fontana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $47,450 in the Fontana MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Fontana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $639,032 in Fontana β a 66.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance is 1619 mi and the route typically takes 27h 49m via I 40 and US 270. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Fontana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 16.0% lower than Fontana (89.364 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· Little Rock, AR.