Moving from Lubbock, TX to Fontana, CA
It is 1062 mi between Lubbock and Fontana β roughly 18h 38m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1062 mi Β· 18h 38m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 84, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Victorville, San Bernardino, Rialto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lubbock | Fontana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.317 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.768 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.357 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Fontana runs about 16.6% more expensive overall than Lubbock β RPP 91.317 β 106.442.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $209,436 in Lubbock to $639,032 in Fontana, a 16.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Lubbock +0.8%, Fontana -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lubbock | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 30Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.4" | 11.6" |
Annual temperature rises 5.0Β°F moving to Fontana per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LUBBOCK WFO, TX US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lubbock | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 211,921 |
| Median household income | $60,487 | $98,187 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 14.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.48 | 3.71 |
Fontana households earn about 16.6% more than Lubbock at the median β $60,487 β $98,187 on ACS 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 Texas 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
- 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
- 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.
- 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 Lubbock to Fontana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1062 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fontana more expensive than Lubbock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fontana is 16.6% higher than Lubbock (106.442 vs 91.317, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fontana compared to Lubbock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $639,032 in Fontana vs $209,436 in Lubbock β a 205.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Lubbock vs Fontana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,187 in Fontana vs $60,487 in Lubbock β a 62.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fontana compare to Lubbock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Fontana MSA vs $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 150,730 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Fontana, CA from Lubbock, TX?
The driving distance is 1062 mi and the route typically takes 18h 38m via I 40 and US 84. The trip crosses 4 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 Lubbock.
City profiles: Lubbock, TX Β· Fontana, CA.