Moving from Rancho Cucamonga, CA to Irvine, CA
It is a short 44 mi hop from Rancho Cucamonga, CA to Irvine, CA β roughly 1h 3m 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.
44 mi Β· 1h 3m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 261 TOLL, CA 83, CA 60 |
| 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
| Rancho Cucamonga | 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 |
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 β ZHVI goes from $792,765 to $1,557,982 moving to Irvine.
YoY change: Rancho Cucamonga -0.6%, Irvine -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rancho Cucamonga | 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" |
Annual average temperatures in Rancho Cucamonga (66.8Β°F) and Irvine (64.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Irvine 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, TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rancho Cucamonga | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 174,693 | 308,160 |
| Median household income | $109,511 | $129,647 |
| Median age | 37.9 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.8% | 39.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.01 | 2.75 |
Households in Irvine earn about 6.7% more at the median β ACS 5-year 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 Rancho Cucamonga to Irvine?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 44 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 Rancho Cucamonga vs Irvine?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,647 in Irvine vs $109,511 in Rancho Cucamonga β a 18.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Irvine, CA from Rancho Cucamonga, CA?
The driving distance is 44 mi and the route typically takes 1h 3m 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 Rancho Cucamonga?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,557,982 in Irvine vs $792,765 in Rancho Cucamonga β a 96.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Irvine compare to Rancho Cucamonga?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Irvine MSA vs $47,450 in the Rancho Cucamonga 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.
Is Irvine more expensive than Rancho Cucamonga?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irvine is 6.7% higher than Rancho Cucamonga (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 Rancho Cucamonga.
City profiles: Rancho Cucamonga, CA Β· Irvine, CA.