Moving from Wichita, KS to Ontario, CA
It is 1342 mi between Wichita and Ontario β roughly 23h 59m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1342 mi Β· 23h 59m by car Β· KS β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | KS β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 54, US 400 |
| Major cities en route | Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Victorville, San Bernardino, Fontana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wichita | Ontario | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.946 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.459 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.027 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 66.245 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 19.7% above Wichita β 88.946 β 106.442 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
19.7% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Wichita +2.2%, Ontario -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Wichita | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 23Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.3" | 11.6" |
Annual temperature rises 9.1Β°F moving to Ontario per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WICHITA, KS US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wichita | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 396,488 | 178,347 |
| Median household income | $63,072 | $82,806 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.7% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 3.39 |
Ontario households earn about 19.7% more than Wichita at the median β $63,072 β $82,806 on ACS 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 Kansas 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- 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 much do homes cost in Ontario compared to Wichita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $672,742 in Ontario vs $202,720 in Wichita β a 231.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Wichita vs Ontario?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,806 in Ontario vs $63,072 in Wichita β a 31.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Ontario compare to Wichita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Ontario MSA vs $44,790 in the Wichita MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 303,910 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Wichita to Ontario?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1342 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Ontario more expensive than Wichita?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ontario is 19.7% higher than Wichita (106.442 vs 88.946, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Ontario, CA from Wichita, KS?
The driving distance is 1342 mi and the route typically takes 23h 59m via I 40 and US 54. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Wichita.
City profiles: Wichita, KS Β· Ontario, CA.