Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Rancho Cucamonga, CA
It is a 382 mi drive, roughly 7h 13m, between Santa Clara, CA and Rancho Cucamonga, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
382 mi Β· 7h 13m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 152, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Ontario, Corona, Jurupa Valley, Riverside, San Bernardino |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | Rancho Cucamonga | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Santa Clara and Rancho Cucamonga sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,782,192 in Santa Clara to $792,765 in Rancho Cucamonga, a 3.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Rancho Cucamonga -0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Rancho Cucamonga |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 11.6" |
Annual temperature rises 6.1Β°F moving to Rancho Cucamonga per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Rancho Cucamonga |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 174,693 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $109,511 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 37.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 22.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.01 |
Rancho Cucamonga households earn about 3.6% less than Santa Clara at the median β $173,670 β $109,511 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rancho Cucamonga 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 Rancho Cucamonga 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: Rancho Cucamonga 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
How far is Rancho Cucamonga, CA from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 382 mi and the route typically takes 7h 13m via I 5 and CA 152. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara to Rancho Cucamonga?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 382 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Rancho Cucamonga compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rancho Cucamonga MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Santa Clara vs Rancho Cucamonga?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,511 in Rancho Cucamonga vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 36.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Rancho Cucamonga compared to Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $792,765 in Rancho Cucamonga vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 55.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Rancho Cucamonga more expensive than Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rancho Cucamonga is 3.6% lower than Santa Clara (106.442 vs 110.423, 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 Santa Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA Β· Rancho Cucamonga, CA.