Moving from Oakland, CA to Ontario, CA
Moving from Oakland, CA to Ontario, CA covers 404 mi and about 7h 34m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
404 mi Β· 7h 34m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Berkeley, Richmond, Concord, San Mateo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oakland | Ontario | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Ontario are 7.9% below Oakland 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
Zillow typical home value is 7.9% lower in Ontario than Oakland as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Oakland -8.5%, Ontario -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Oakland | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 72Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 22.6" | 11.6" |
Ontario runs 7.2Β°F warmer on the annual average (59.6Β°F vs 66.8Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oakland | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 438,072 | 178,347 |
| Median household income | $97,369 | $82,806 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 3.39 |
Median household income in Ontario is 7.9% below Oakland ($97,369 β $82,806, 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.
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 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Ontario compare to Oakland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Ontario MSA vs $72,050 in the Oakland MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Oakland vs Ontario?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,806 in Ontario vs $97,369 in Oakland β a 15.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Ontario more expensive than Oakland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ontario is 7.9% lower than Oakland (106.442 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Ontario compared to Oakland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $672,742 in Ontario vs $716,248 in Oakland β a 6.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Oakland to Ontario?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 404 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Ontario, CA from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance is 404 mi and the route typically takes 7h 34m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 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 Oakland.
City profiles: Oakland, CA Β· Ontario, CA.