Moving from Huntington Beach, CA to Rancho Cucamonga, CA
The 55 mi from Huntington Beach to Rancho Cucamonga translate to about 1h 12m 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.
55 mi Β· 1h 12m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 57, CA 210, CA 22 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Torrance, Costa Mesa, Inglewood, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntington Beach | Rancho Cucamonga | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Rancho Cucamonga is 6.3% cheaper than Huntington Beach overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Rancho Cucamonga is 6.3% below Huntington Beach β $1,366,658 vs $792,765 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Huntington Beach +2.8%, Rancho Cucamonga -0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Huntington Beach | Rancho Cucamonga |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 11.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Huntington Beach (64.9Β°F) and Rancho Cucamonga (66.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntington Beach | Rancho Cucamonga |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 174,693 |
| Median household income | $119,885 | $109,511 |
| Median age | 43.4 | 37.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 22.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 3.01 |
Income steps down 6.3%: $119,885 in Huntington Beach vs $109,511 in Rancho Cucamonga.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rancho Cucamonga 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 Rancho Cucamonga 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: Rancho Cucamonga sees only 11.6 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 does household income compare in Huntington Beach vs Rancho Cucamonga?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,511 in Rancho Cucamonga vs $119,885 in Huntington Beach β a 8.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Huntington Beach to Rancho Cucamonga?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 55 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Rancho Cucamonga more expensive than Huntington Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rancho Cucamonga is 6.3% lower than Huntington Beach (106.442 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Rancho Cucamonga, CA from Huntington Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 55 mi and the route typically takes 1h 12m via CA 57 and CA 210. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Rancho Cucamonga compare to Huntington Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rancho Cucamonga MSA vs $50,490 in the Huntington Beach MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Rancho Cucamonga compared to Huntington Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $792,765 in Rancho Cucamonga vs $1,366,658 in Huntington Beach β a 42.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Huntington Beach.
City profiles: Huntington Beach, CA Β· Rancho Cucamonga, CA.