($1,423) Movers From St. Louis, MO to Ontario, CA

What to know before moving from St. Louis to Ontario

Moving from St. Louis to Ontario means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in St. Louis than in Ontario, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how St. Louis compares to Ontario so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Ontario are 110% higher than in St. Louis, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in St. Louis.
  Home prices in Ontario are 289.6% higher than in St. Louis.
• Income in Ontario is 8.8% higher than in St. Louis, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Ontario include Prime Healthcare, Niagara Bottling, and Gold Star Foods.
• The cost of living for a single person in Ontario is 4.5% lower than in St. Louis. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Ontario is 11.9% lower than in St. Louis.
• The unemployment rate in Ontario is 9.52% higher than in St. Louis.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Ontario, since the city’s sales taxes in Ontario are 9.61% lower than in St. Louis.
• State income taxes in Ontario are 177.08% higher than in St. Louis.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,865.59 in Ontario to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in St. Louis.

How life is different in St. Louis vs. Ontario

• Ontario might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 40% less than St. Louis.
• Getting around Ontario without a car might be more difficult than in St. Louis. Ontario has a public transportation score of 5 out of 10, whereas St. Louis is ranked 8. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Ontario neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as St. Louis. Based on its score of 48 out of 100, Ontario isn’t as walkable as St. Louis, which has a score of 66 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Ontario, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than St. Louis. While St. Louis has a bike-friendliness score of 58 out of 100, Ontario earned a 46. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• Ontario has a lower crime rate than St. Louis based on scores of 50.25 and St. Louis's 69.65, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Ontario than in St. Louis, based on Ontario’s safety index of 49.75 versus 30.35 for St. Louis. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Ontario has better air quality than in St. Louis. Ontario has Good air quality, compared to moderate in St. Louis. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your St. Louis vs. Ontario move

• Weather: Ontario with hot summers and mild winters.
• HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• State licensing: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a California moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: California doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Ontario. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
• Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Ontario

Ready to relocate to ""? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Ontario.

Helpful moving resources