Moving from Greeley, CO to Fontana, CA
A move from Greeley, CO to Fontana, CA covers 1027 mi and around 18h 4m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1027 mi Β· 18h 4m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Riverside, Moreno Valley, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Greeley | Fontana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.176 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.997 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.599 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 6.3% pricier overall in Fontana than Greeley on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Fontana typical home at $639,032 is 6.3% above Greeley at $420,464 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Greeley -1.6%, Fontana -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Greeley | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 34.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.7" | 11.6" |
Fontana runs 14.7Β°F warmer on the annual average (52.1Β°F vs 66.8Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: GREELEY UNC, CO US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Greeley | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,421 | 211,921 |
| Median household income | $68,650 | $98,187 |
| Median age | 32.5 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.9% | 14.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 3.71 |
Median household income in Fontana is 6.3% above Greeley ($68,650 vs $98,187, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fontana 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.
Moving between Colorado and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains 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.
- 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.
- 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Fontana 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: Fontana sees only 11.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.7Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Greeley to Fontana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1027 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 Fontana compared to Greeley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $639,032 in Fontana vs $420,464 in Greeley β a 52.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Greeley vs Fontana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,187 in Fontana vs $68,650 in Greeley β a 43.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Fontana, CA from Greeley, CO?
The driving distance is 1027 mi and the route typically takes 18h 4m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fontana compare to Greeley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Fontana MSA vs $50,140 in the Greeley MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 111,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Fontana more expensive than Greeley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fontana is 6.3% higher than Greeley (106.442 vs 100.176, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Greeley.
City profiles: Greeley, CO Β· Fontana, CA.