Moving from Fontana, CA to Toledo, OH
A 2196 mi cross-country move between Fontana and Toledo is 38h 43m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 10 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.
2196 mi Β· 38h 43m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 80 EXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | South Bend, Chicago, Aurora, Joliet, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fontana | Toledo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 91.455 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 96.285 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 67.317 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 14.1% moving from Fontana to Toledo β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $639,032 in Fontana to $129,627 in Toledo, a 14.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fontana -1.8%, Toledo +5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fontana | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 32.4" |
Annual average temperature drops 15.4Β°F β 66.8Β°F in Fontana vs 51.4Β°F in Toledo, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, TOLEDO METCALF FLD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fontana | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,921 | 268,461 |
| Median household income | $98,187 | $47,532 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.7% | 13.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 2.27 |
Toledo households earn about 14.1% less than Fontana at the median β $98,187 β $47,532 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Toledo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,160 | $39,900 |
| Production Occupations | 31,420 | $45,220 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,850 | $41,570 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 27,870 | $28,590 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,710 | $32,930 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (15.4Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Ohio after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Toledo compare to Fontana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,740 in the Toledo MSA vs $47,450 in the Fontana MSA, on total employment of 290,070 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Toledo, OH from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance is 2196 mi and the route typically takes 38h 43m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Toledo more expensive than Fontana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Toledo is 14.1% lower than Fontana (91.455 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fontana vs Toledo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $47,532 in Toledo vs $98,187 in Fontana β a 51.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fontana to Toledo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2196 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 Toledo compared to Fontana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $129,627 in Toledo vs $639,032 in Fontana β a 79.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fontana.
City profiles: Fontana, CA Β· Toledo, OH.