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Relocation Guide: Moving to Rancho Cucamonga, CA

June 3, 2024


Moving to Rancho Cucamonga: Rancho Cucamonga is a stunning, growing suburb of San Bernardino that is known as the “crown jewel of the Inland Empire.” It’s 37 miles east of downtown Los Angeles and just south of the Angeles National Forest and the San Gabriel Mountains.

This affluent city is considered one of the happiest cities in the US, especially for single, educated, and young professionals, and is home to famous spots like Joseph Filippi Winery and the hugely successful outdoor mall of Victoria Gardens.

Rancho Cucamonga gets a bad rap for being part of the 909 or San Bernardino district, despite its name being derived from the Native American word kucamonga (which means “sandy place”). This stereotype could not be more incorrect. Rancho (aka RC) is a safe, healthy, and vibrant city close to world-class beaches, mountain resorts, municipalities such as Los Angeles, and much more!

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What you need to know before moving to Rancho Cucamonga

Rancho Cucamonga is a city in San Bernardino County with a population of around 177,000 people, located south of the San Gabriel Mountains’ foothills. It is the 27th most populous city in California and the 19th most populous city in Southern California. It’s one of the most affluent and desirable places to live in SoCal, with a variety of appealing selling points such as prime spot, stellar facilities, and so on.

Like any other city, there are always Ups and Downs in moving.

Pros

* There are many things to do.
* Happy City
* Centrally Located
* Beautiful Climate
* Diversity
* Low Crime rates

Cons

* No Distinct seasons
* Cost of Living
* Traffic Congestion
* Housing Market

Cost of Living

Rancho Cucamonga has a cost of living index of 140.8, according to BestPlaces’ Cost of Living in Rancho Cucamonga. This index is significantly higher than the 100-point national average. However, as compared to Los Angeles (which has a cost-of-living index of 173.3), the city is comparatively inexpensive.

Specific costs (in relation to the average of 100) are as follows: Food (101.9), Health (86.9), Housing (224.3), Utilities (105.2), and Transportation (105.2) are the top five categories (116.1). Rancho Cucamonga’s median household income is $78,286 per year. This figure is higher than the national average, which is about $53,500.

Average expenses in Rancho Cucamonga (San Bernardino County) for a family of four:

Housing = $1,124
Food = $746
Childcare = $1,055
Transportation = $1,240
Health Care = $795
Other necessities = $755
Taxes = $698
Total = $6,413 per month or $76,956 per year

In comparison, check out the monthly costs of living in LA

Housing = $1,663
Food = $830
Childcare = $1,223
Transportation = $1,159
Health Care = $795
Other necessities = $1,006
Taxes = $1,016
Total = $7,691 per month or $92,295 per year

When you compare Rancho Cucamonga to Los Angeles, you will see how much money you might save. The cost of living in Rancho Cucamonga is approximately 17% lower on average!

Economy & Job Market

Rancho Cucamonga’s economic population is diverse and well-educated, with a good mix of blue-collar workers and young, upwardly mobile professionals. The current unemployment rate in RC is 3.1 percent (as of March 2020). (lower than the US average of 3.9 percent ). The estimated annual household income is about $84,000.

Healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, educational facilities, public administration, and infrastructure, as well as mining, quarrying, and oil and gas production, are among the top sectors.

Here are the Top 5 largest employers in Rancho Cucamonga:

CO-OP Financial Services
Chaffey Joint Union High School District
Inland Empire Health Plan
Amphastar Pharmaceuticals
Pneudraulics

Housing Market

Rancho Cucamonga has a median home valuation of $541,600, according to Zillow. The median home value in San Bernardino County is $362,105, which is considerably higher. Rent is $1,442 per month (or $17,304 per year) for a one-bedroom apartment and $1,804 (or $21,648 per year) for a two-bedroom apartment.

Here are the cheapest neighborhoods to live in Rancho Cucamonga:

Alta Loma
Hermosa Ave / 19th St
City Center
Vineyard Ave / Foothill Blvd
Etiwanda Ave / Arrow Hwy

Moving to Rancho Cucamonga? Here are companies that help you move
Xfinity Moving
College Hunk
Two Men and a Truck
All My Sons Moving and Storage
U-Haul
College Hunk
Portable On Demands
Budget Truck Rental
1-800-PACK-RAT
Penske
Best Interstate Moving + Storage

Traffic and Transportation

If you’re looking for public transportation in Rancho Cucamonga, you’ve come to the right place. For the city, there are a few choices. OmniTrans buses and Metrolink trains are two examples. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is about 60 miles west of Ontario International Airport, which is just three miles south. Ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft are common in this region, as they are in most of Southern California.

If you drive (and commute), you can familiarize yourself with the main highways. The 210 or Foothill Highway (east-west) runs through the area, providing easy access to other major cities from Rancho Cucamonga. The 15 or Ontario Freeway (north-south) runs parallel to the town’s eastern edge.

Rancho Cucamonga has a Walk Score of 40, a Transit Score of 25, and a Transit Score of 46, according to Walk Score (Bike Score). In 2008, the city implemented the Healthy RC initiative, which has resulted in ongoing improvements to bike- and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.

Rancho Cucamonga commuters can’t avoid bad traffic because San Bernardino and the Inland Empire are among the worst driving areas in the country (especially when heading towards Riverside). Of course, if you live in Southern California, traffic is unavoidable. On the plus side, you can listen to audiobooks to catch up.

What to do in Rancho Cucamonga?

Rancho Cucamonga is a modern city with a perfect mix of natural splendor and urban facilities, with easy access to the San Gabriel Mountains and the City of Los Angeles. You’ll love it here if you like nightlife – live music, wineries, eateries, breweries, and so on. You’ll love it here if you’re a nature lover (especially those who enjoy hiking and camping). If you adore both, well, you know what I’m talking about!

Parks are first on the list. The Pacific Inland Empire Trail is the main draw, with more than 21 miles of fantastic hiking, biking, and scenic views. The Angeles National Forest in the San Gabriel Mountains is another popular destination, offering a wide range of recreational opportunities.

Are you hunting for the most well-known vacation spots? Victoria Gardens, a premier lifestyle hub, is one of the attractions. The shopping and dining choices at this outdoor mall are fantastic. If you enjoy wine, make a point of stopping by Joseph Filippi Winery for tastings and tours of the family-run company.

RC doesn’t actually have any big professional sports teams, but if you’re a sports fan, Los Angeles is close by, with the Lakers (NBA), Angels (MLB), and Kings (MLB) (NHL). Baseball fans would be pleased to learn that the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, a minor league affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, call the city home.

The Quakes are located at Rancho Cucamonga Epicenter Entertainment & Adult Sports Complex, which is a popular destination and activity. North Etiwanda Preserve has Etiwanda Falls and Etiwanda Trail for nature lovers. If you enjoy musicals, plays, live music, dance shows, and comedy acts, the Lewis Family Playhouse is the place to go.