Moving from Ontario, CA to El Monte, CA
It is a short 27 mi hop from Ontario, CA to El Monte, CA β roughly 37 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
27 mi Β· 37 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, CA 60, CA 71 |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, San Bernardino, Fontana, Moreno Valley, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ontario | El Monte | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 6.7% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.7% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Ontario -1.7%, El Monte +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ontario | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 15.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Ontario (66.8Β°F) and El Monte (66.0Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
El Monte gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ontario | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,347 | 107,066 |
| Median household income | $82,806 | $64,484 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.39 | 3.62 |
El Monte households earn about 6.7% less than Ontario at the median β $82,806 β $64,484 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Monte MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- 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
When is the best time to move from Ontario to El Monte?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 27 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is El Monte more expensive than Ontario?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Monte is 6.7% higher than Ontario (113.566 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Ontario vs El Monte?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,484 in El Monte vs $82,806 in Ontario β a 22.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in El Monte compare to Ontario?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the El Monte MSA vs $47,450 in the Ontario MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in El Monte compared to Ontario?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $765,444 in El Monte vs $672,742 in Ontario β a 13.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is El Monte, CA from Ontario, CA?
The driving distance is 27 mi and the route typically takes 37 min via I 10 and CA 60. 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 Ontario.
City profiles: Ontario, CA Β· El Monte, CA.