Moving from Ontario, CA to Richmond, CA
The 421 mi from Ontario to Richmond translate to about 7h 54m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
421 mi Β· 7h 54m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 580, I 210 |
| 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 | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Richmond is 8.6% higher than Ontario, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Richmond is 8.6% below Ontario ($606,427 vs $672,742 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Ontario -1.7%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ontario | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 71Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 24.4" |
Climate cools by 8.0Β°F on the annual average β 66.8Β°F β 58.8Β°F.
Richmond 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, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ontario | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,347 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $82,806 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.39 | 2.85 |
Income steps up 8.6%: $82,806 in Ontario vs $90,038 in Richmond.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Ontario?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $47,450 in the Ontario MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 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 Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $82,806 in Ontario β a 8.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Ontario to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 421 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Richmond, CA from Ontario, CA?
The driving distance is 421 mi and the route typically takes 7h 54m via I 5 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Richmond more expensive than Ontario?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 8.6% higher than Ontario (115.613 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Ontario?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $672,742 in Ontario β a 9.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Ontario.
City profiles: Ontario, CA Β· Richmond, CA.