Moving from Fontana, CA to Menifee, CA
Moving from Fontana, CA to Menifee, CA is a 40 mi drive, about 54 min by car. This is a local relocation β same-day moves are typical β but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
40 mi Β· 54 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 215 TRUCK, CA 60, I 215 |
| Major cities en route | Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Pomona, West Covina, San Bernardino |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fontana | Menifee | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Fontana (106.442) and Menifee (106.442) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Menifee ZHVI at $584,525 is 0.0% below Fontana at $639,032.
YoY change: Fontana -1.8%, Menifee -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fontana | Menifee |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 11.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Menifee β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, ELSINORE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fontana | Menifee |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,921 | 107,020 |
| Median household income | $98,187 | $89,183 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.7% | 14.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 3.05 |
Median household income in Menifee is 0.0% below Fontana ($98,187 β $89,183, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Menifee MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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 Menifee average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Menifee sees only 11.7 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 Menifee, CA from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance is 40 mi and the route typically takes 54 min via I 215 TRUCK and CA 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Menifee compared to Fontana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $584,525 in Menifee vs $639,032 in Fontana β a 8.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Menifee compare to Fontana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Menifee MSA vs $47,450 in the Fontana MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 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 Menifee?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $89,183 in Menifee vs $98,187 in Fontana β a 9.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fontana to Menifee?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 40 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· Menifee, CA.