Moving from Ontario, CA to Irvine, CA
Relocating from Ontario, CA to Irvine, CA? The drive is 34 mi β about 48 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
34 mi Β· 48 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 261 TOLL, CA 83, CA 91 |
| Major cities en route | Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Santa Ana, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ontario | Irvine | 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 |
Irvine runs about 6.7% more expensive overall than Ontario β RPP 106.442 β 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $672,742 in Ontario to $1,557,982 in Irvine, a 6.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Ontario -1.7%, Irvine -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ontario | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 14.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.8Β°F vs 64.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Irvine sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ontario | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,347 | 308,160 |
| Median household income | $82,806 | $129,647 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 39.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.39 | 2.75 |
Expect median household income to rise 6.7% β $82,806 β $129,647 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irvine 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
- Dry climate: Irvine sees only 14.1 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
When is the best time to move from Ontario to Irvine?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 34 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Irvine, CA from Ontario, CA?
The driving distance is 34 mi and the route typically takes 48 min via CA 261 TOLL and CA 83. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Irvine compared to Ontario?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,557,982 in Irvine vs $672,742 in Ontario β a 131.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Irvine compare to Ontario?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Irvine 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 does household income compare in Ontario vs Irvine?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,647 in Irvine vs $82,806 in Ontario β a 56.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Irvine more expensive than Ontario?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irvine is 6.7% higher than Ontario (113.566 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Ontario.
City profiles: Ontario, CA Β· Irvine, CA.