Moving from Fontana, CA to Rialto, CA
Moving from Fontana, CA to Rialto, CA is a 5.0 mi drive, about 11 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.
5.0 mi Β· 11 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Pomona, West Covina, Anaheim |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fontana | Rialto | 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 |
Rialto and Fontana are close on the overall BEA RPP (106.442 vs 106.442); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 0.0% lower in Rialto than Fontana as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Fontana -1.8%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fontana | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 9.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.8Β°F vs 66.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Rialto sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fontana | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,921 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $98,187 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.7% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 3.87 |
Median household income in Rialto is 0.0% below Fontana ($98,187 β $85,521, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rialto 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 Rialto average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Rialto sees only 9.9 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 much do homes cost in Rialto compared to Fontana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $639,032 in Fontana β a 7.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Rialto compare to Fontana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto 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.
When is the best time to move from Fontana to Rialto?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 5.0 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 Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $98,187 in Fontana β a 12.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Rialto, CA from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance is 5.0 mi and the route typically takes 11 min via 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· Rialto, CA.