Moving from Fontana, CA to Mesquite, TX
The drive from Fontana, CA to Mesquite, TX runs 1411 mi β about 24h 13m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1411 mi Β· 24h 13m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Rancho Cucamonga, Pomona, Victorville, West Covina, Rialto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fontana | Mesquite | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Mesquite and Fontana are close on the overall BEA RPP (106.442 vs 103.09); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Mesquite typical home at $262,121 is 3.1% under Fontana at $639,032 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fontana -1.8%, Mesquite -4.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fontana | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 40.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.8Β°F vs 66.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, FERRIS, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fontana | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,921 | 148,848 |
| Median household income | $98,187 | $71,843 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.7% | 12.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 2.96 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 3.1% between Fontana and Mesquite (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mesquite MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Mesquite average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Mesquite compared to Fontana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $262,121 in Mesquite vs $639,032 in Fontana β a 59.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Mesquite, TX from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance is 1411 mi and the route typically takes 24h 13m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fontana to Mesquite?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1411 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Fontana vs Mesquite?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,843 in Mesquite vs $98,187 in Fontana β a 26.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Mesquite compare to Fontana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Mesquite MSA vs $47,450 in the Fontana MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Mesquite more expensive than Fontana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mesquite is 3.1% lower than Fontana (103.09 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· Mesquite, TX.