Moving from Santa Clarita, CA to Fontana, CA
Relocating between Santa Clarita, CA and Fontana, CA is a 76 mi drive β 1h 34m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
76 mi Β· 1h 34m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 210, CA 210, CA 14 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Palmdale, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clarita | Fontana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.3% moving from Santa Clarita to Fontana β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $802,016 in Santa Clarita to $639,032 in Fontana, a 6.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Santa Clarita -2.2%, Fontana -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clarita | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.8" | 11.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.5Β°F vs 66.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWHALL 5NW, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clarita | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 211,921 |
| Median household income | $119,926 | $98,187 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 14.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 3.71 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 6.3% lower in Fontana than Santa Clarita.
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 Santa Clarita to Fontana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 76 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 Santa Clarita vs Fontana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,187 in Fontana vs $119,926 in Santa Clarita β a 18.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Fontana more expensive than Santa Clarita?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fontana is 6.3% lower than Santa Clarita (106.442 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fontana, CA from Santa Clarita, CA?
The driving distance is 76 mi and the route typically takes 1h 34m via I 210 and CA 210. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fontana compared to Santa Clarita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $639,032 in Fontana vs $802,016 in Santa Clarita β a 20.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fontana compare to Santa Clarita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Fontana MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Clarita MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Clarita.
City profiles: Santa Clarita, CA Β· Fontana, CA.