Moving from Seattle, WA to Ontario, CA
A move from Seattle, WA to Ontario, CA covers 1174 mi and around 22h 21m of driving through 3 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1174 mi Β· 22h 21m by car Β· WA β OR β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Bellevue, Renton, Kent, Tacoma |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Ontario | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Seattle (111.133) and Ontario (106.442) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Ontario: 4.2% below Seattle on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Ontario -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Seattle | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 11.6" |
Ontario runs 13.6Β°F warmer on the annual average (53.2Β°F vs 66.8Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 178,347 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $82,806 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 3.39 |
Median household income in Ontario is 4.2% below Seattle ($121,984 vs $82,806, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Ontario 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.
Moving between Washington and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- 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 Ontario 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: Ontario sees only 11.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Ontario compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Ontario MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Seattle to Ontario?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1174 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Ontario, CA from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 1174 mi and the route typically takes 22h 21m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Ontario compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $672,742 in Ontario vs $868,680 in Seattle β a 22.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Ontario?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,806 in Ontario vs $121,984 in Seattle β a 32.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Ontario more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ontario is 4.2% lower than Seattle (106.442 vs 111.133, 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 Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA Β· Ontario, CA.