Moving from Norman, OK to Fontana, CA
A move from Norman, OK to Fontana, CA covers 1306 mi and around 22h 39m 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.
1306 mi Β· 22h 39m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, 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
| Norman | Fontana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 17.7% pricier overall in Fontana than Norman 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 17.7% above Norman at $262,839 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Norman +2.0%, Fontana -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Norman | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.7" | 11.6" |
Fontana runs 6.1Β°F warmer on the annual average (60.7Β°F vs 66.8Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORMAN 3SSE, OK US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Norman | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 211,921 |
| Median household income | $65,060 | $98,187 |
| Median age | 31.6 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.2% | 14.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 3.71 |
Median household income in Fontana is 17.7% above Norman ($65,060 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 Oklahoma 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 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
How does the job market in Fontana compare to Norman?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Fontana MSA vs $44,030 in the Norman MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Norman vs Fontana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,187 in Fontana vs $65,060 in Norman β a 50.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Fontana more expensive than Norman?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fontana is 17.7% higher than Norman (106.442 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Norman to Fontana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1306 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fontana, CA from Norman, OK?
The driving distance is 1306 mi and the route typically takes 22h 39m via I 40 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fontana compared to Norman?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $639,032 in Fontana vs $262,839 in Norman β a 143.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Norman.
City profiles: Norman, OK Β· Fontana, CA.