Moving from Fontana, CA to Pasadena, CA
Moving from Fontana, CA to Pasadena, CA is a 43 mi drive, about 55 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.
43 mi Β· 55 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 210, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Rialto, Riverside, Jurupa Valley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fontana | Pasadena | 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 |
BEA RPP moves from 106.442 in Fontana to 113.566 in Pasadena, a 6.7% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Pasadena: 6.7% above Fontana on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fontana -1.8%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fontana | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 20.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Pasadena β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fontana | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,921 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $98,187 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.7% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 2.39 |
Median household income in Pasadena is 6.7% above Fontana ($98,187 β $103,778, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pasadena 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
- 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 Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 43 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 Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $98,187 in Fontana β a 5.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Fontana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena 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.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Fontana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena 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 much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Fontana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $639,032 in Fontana β a 89.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance is 43 mi and the route typically takes 55 min via CA 210 and US 66 HIST. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fontana.
City profiles: Fontana, CA Β· Pasadena, CA.