Moving from Fontana, CA to Orange, CA
It is a short 45 mi hop from Fontana, CA to Orange, CA β roughly 57 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
45 mi Β· 57 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 60, CA 57, 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 | Orange | 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%, Orange +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fontana | Orange |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 12.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Orange β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fontana | Orange |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,921 | 138,723 |
| Median household income | $98,187 | $116,945 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.7% | 25.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 3.09 |
Households in Orange earn about 6.7% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Orange 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: Orange sees only 12.5 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
When is the best time to move from Fontana to Orange?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 45 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Orange, CA from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance is 45 mi and the route typically takes 57 min via CA 60 and CA 57. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Orange compared to Fontana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,143,788 in Orange vs $639,032 in Fontana β a 79.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Orange more expensive than Fontana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Orange is 6.7% higher than Fontana (113.566 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fontana vs Orange?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $116,945 in Orange vs $98,187 in Fontana β a 19.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Orange compare to Fontana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Orange 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fontana.
City profiles: Fontana, CA Β· Orange, CA.