Moving from Rialto, CA to Fontana, CA
The drive from Rialto to Fontana covers 5.0 mi in about 11 min. Local moves still matter β school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
5.0 mi Β· 11 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Pomona, West Covina, Anaheim |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rialto | Fontana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Rialto (106.442) and Fontana (106.442) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Fontana at $639,032 is 0.0% above Rialto at $588,566.
YoY change: Rialto -0.8%, Fontana -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rialto | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 9.9" | 11.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rialto | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,866 | 211,921 |
| Median household income | $85,521 | $98,187 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.2% | 14.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.87 | 3.71 |
Income steps up 0.0%: $85,521 in Rialto vs $98,187 in Fontana.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fontana MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Fontana average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Fontana sees only 11.6 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 Rialto to Fontana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 5.0 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fontana, CA from Rialto, CA?
The driving distance is 5.0 mi and the route typically takes 11 min via US 66 HIST. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fontana compare to Rialto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Fontana MSA vs $47,450 in the Rialto MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Fontana compared to Rialto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $639,032 in Fontana vs $588,566 in Rialto β a 8.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Rialto vs Fontana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,187 in Fontana vs $85,521 in Rialto β a 14.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rialto.
City profiles: Rialto, CA Β· Fontana, CA.