Moving from Ontario, CA to Savannah, GA
Cross-country relocations like Ontario, CA β Savannah, GA cover 2384 mi and about 41h 43m of driving through 10 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2384 mi Β· 41h 43m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 78, I 16 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Riverside, Santa Ana, Irvine, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ontario | Savannah | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 95.206 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 88.603 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 96.269 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 86.012 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Savannah are 10.6% below Ontario 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
Housing gap is large: Savannah typical home at $326,509 is 10.6% under Ontario at $672,742 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Ontario -1.7%, Savannah -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ontario | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 48.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.8Β°F vs 67.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Savannah sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ontario | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,347 | 147,546 |
| Median household income | $82,806 | $56,782 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.39 | 2.52 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 10.6% between Ontario and Savannah (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Savannah MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 24,950 | $41,600 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 21,870 | $37,820 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 21,400 | $28,500 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 18,460 | $31,030 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,220 | $76,810 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Georgia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Georgia'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.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements 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 Savannah average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tropical storms are possible August through October on the Atlantic coast.
- 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 Georgia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Savannah compare to Ontario?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,490 in the Savannah MSA vs $47,450 in the Ontario MSA, on total employment of 188,970 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Savannah compared to Ontario?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $326,509 in Savannah vs $672,742 in Ontario β a 51.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Savannah more expensive than Ontario?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Savannah is 10.6% lower than Ontario (95.206 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Ontario to Savannah?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2384 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Ontario vs Savannah?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $56,782 in Savannah vs $82,806 in Ontario β a 31.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Savannah, GA from Ontario, CA?
The driving distance is 2384 mi and the route typically takes 41h 43m via I 40 and US 78. The trip crosses 10 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· Savannah, GA.