Moving from Fontana, CA to St. Louis, MO
A 1779 mi cross-country move between Fontana and St. Louis is 30h 51m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1779 mi Β· 30h 51m by car Β· MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Springfield, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma City, Norman |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fontana | St. Louis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 95.088 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 69.921 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 99.996 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 79.024 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 10.7% moving from Fontana to St. Louis β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Fontana -1.8%, St. Louis β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fontana | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 43.9" |
Annual temperature drops 8.8Β°F moving to St. Louis per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fontana | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,921 | 293,109 |
| Median household income | $98,187 | $55,279 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.7% | 22% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 2.03 |
St. Louis households earn about 10.7% less than Fontana at the median β $98,187 β $55,279 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Louis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 162,150 | $43,310 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 119,600 | $29,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 115,380 | $39,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 108,510 | $35,500 |
| Management Occupations | 94,750 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Fontana to St. Louis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1779 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 St. Louis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,279 in St. Louis vs $98,187 in Fontana β a 43.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is St. Louis, MO from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance is 1779 mi and the route typically takes 30h 51m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is St. Louis more expensive than Fontana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Louis is 10.7% lower than Fontana (95.088 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in St. Louis compare to Fontana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA vs $47,450 in the Fontana MSA, on total employment of 1,325,480 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· St. Louis, MO.