Moving from Naperville, IL to Fontana, CA
Moving from Naperville, IL to Fontana, CA is a 1945 mi cross-country relocation β about 34h 2m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1945 mi Β· 34h 2m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| 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
| Naperville | Fontana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Fontana and Naperville are close on the overall BEA RPP (103.595 vs 106.442); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values are comparable between the two cities on the latest Zillow ZHVI.
YoY change: Naperville +5.2%, Fontana -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Naperville | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 11.6" |
NOAA normals show Fontana running 17.6Β°F above Naperville on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM, IL US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Naperville | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 211,921 |
| Median household income | $150,937 | $98,187 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38.8% | 14.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 3.71 |
Median household income in Fontana is 2.7% below Naperville ($150,937 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 Illinois 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 (17.6Β°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
How much do homes cost in Fontana compared to Naperville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $639,032 in Fontana vs $610,454 in Naperville β a 4.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Fontana more expensive than Naperville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fontana is 2.7% higher than Naperville (106.442 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Naperville vs Fontana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,187 in Fontana vs $150,937 in Naperville β a 34.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fontana compare to Naperville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Fontana MSA vs $49,790 in the Naperville MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Fontana, CA from Naperville, IL?
The driving distance is 1945 mi and the route typically takes 34h 2m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Naperville to Fontana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1945 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Naperville.
City profiles: Naperville, IL Β· Fontana, CA.