Moving from Miami Gardens, FL to Ontario, CA
Cross-country relocations like Miami Gardens, FL β Ontario, CA cover 2680 mi and about 46h 59m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2680 mi Β· 46h 59m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Miami Gardens | Ontario | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Ontario are 6.8% below Miami Gardens β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Ontario typical home at $672,742 is 6.8% above Miami Gardens at $469,434 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Miami Gardens -2.9%, Ontario -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Miami Gardens | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 59Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 68.3" | 11.6" |
Climate cools by 9.2Β°F on the annual average β 76.0Β°F β 66.8Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Miami Gardens | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,264 | 178,347 |
| Median household income | $60,979 | $82,806 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.6% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 3.39 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 6.8% between Miami Gardens and Ontario (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Ontario 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 Florida 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Ontario 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: Ontario 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 Miami Gardens to Ontario?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2680 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Ontario compare to Miami Gardens?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Ontario MSA vs $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Miami Gardens vs Ontario?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,806 in Ontario vs $60,979 in Miami Gardens β a 35.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Ontario, CA from Miami Gardens, FL?
The driving distance is 2680 mi and the route typically takes 46h 59m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Ontario more expensive than Miami Gardens?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ontario is 6.8% lower than Miami Gardens (106.442 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Ontario compared to Miami Gardens?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $672,742 in Ontario vs $469,434 in Miami Gardens β a 43.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Miami Gardens.
City profiles: Miami Gardens, FL Β· Ontario, CA.