Moving from Fontana, CA to Stockton, CA
The 382 mi from Fontana to Stockton translate to about 7h 6m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
382 mi Β· 7h 6m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Antioch, Modesto, Bakersfield, Lancaster, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fontana | Stockton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 105.089 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 158.247 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 115.614 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Stockton and Fontana is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Stockton is 1.3% below Fontana β $639,032 vs $431,328 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fontana -1.8%, Stockton -3.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fontana | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 17.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Fontana (66.8Β°F) and Stockton (63.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Stockton gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, STOCKTON FIRE STN 4, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fontana | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,921 | 320,470 |
| Median household income | $98,187 | $76,851 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.7% | 13% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 3.26 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 1.3% between Fontana and Stockton (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Stockton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 57,370 | $47,990 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 29,980 | $48,070 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,030 | $34,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 20,670 | $37,090 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 18,640 | $47,930 |
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 Stockton average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Stockton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 382 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Stockton compared to Fontana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $431,328 in Stockton vs $639,032 in Fontana β a 32.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Stockton compare to Fontana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,370 in the Stockton MSA vs $47,450 in the Fontana MSA, on total employment of 278,010 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Stockton more expensive than Fontana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Stockton is 1.3% lower than Fontana (105.089 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fontana vs Stockton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,851 in Stockton vs $98,187 in Fontana β a 21.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Stockton, CA from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance is 382 mi and the route typically takes 7h 6m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. 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· Stockton, CA.