Best Cities for Warehouse Space in the Inland Empire Right Now

The Inland Empire is one of the largest industrial markets in the United States, spanning hundreds of millions of square feet across two counties. With so many cities to choose from, picking the right location can make a significant difference in your lease rate, logistics costs, and operational efficiency.

Here's an honest breakdown of the top IE cities for warehouse space right now.

Ontario — The Best All-Around Option

Lease rate: $1.20 – $1.85 NNN | Vacancy: ~3-4%

Ontario is the IE's premier industrial address for good reason. Positioned at the intersection of the 10, 15, and 60 freeways with Ontario International Airport next door, it offers the best freeway connectivity and air freight access in the region. The inventory is deep — from 3,000 SF multi-tenant suites to 1M+ SF bulk distribution centers.

Best for: Any business that needs central IE access, airport proximity, or large-format distribution.

Fontana — Best for Distribution Value

Lease rate: $1.05 – $1.55 NNN | Vacancy: ~3-5%

Fontana offers similar freeway access to Ontario at a meaningfully lower price point. The city has seen significant Class A development along the 10 Freeway corridor and has a strong supply of mid-bay product in the 20,000-80,000 SF range. BNSF rail access is a bonus for import-heavy operations.

Best for: Distribution, food and beverage, 3PL operators seeking value vs. Ontario.

Corona — Best for Orange County Proximity

Lease rate: $1.15 – $1.70 NNN | Vacancy: ~3-6%

Corona is uniquely positioned at the 15/91/71 junction, making it the only IE city with genuine same-day delivery coverage of both Orange County and the broader IE market. It's become a prime last-mile delivery location for businesses serving OC consumers without paying OC lease rates.

Best for: Last-mile delivery, businesses serving Orange County and IE simultaneously.

Riverside — Best for Value in a Large City

Lease rate: $1.00 – $1.50 NNN | Vacancy: ~4-7%

Riverside is Riverside County's largest city and offers strong 91/215/60 freeway connectivity at rates that are typically 15-25% below Ontario. The market has a healthy mix of older Class B product and newer Class A, with more availability than tighter western IE markets.

Best for: Regional distributors, contractors, businesses serving eastern Riverside County.

Perris — Best for Large-Format at Low Cost

Lease rate: $0.85 – $1.30 NNN | Vacancy: ~5-8%

Perris has transformed into one of the IE's most active bulk distribution markets, driven by abundant land supply and some of the lowest rates in the region. Major national retailers and e-commerce operators have flocked here for 500,000+ SF facilities. If you need a large box and price is a priority, Perris delivers.

Best for: Large-format e-commerce fulfillment, national retail distribution, cost-sensitive bulk operations.

San Bernardino — Best for Infrastructure

Lease rate: $0.90 – $1.40 NNN | Vacancy: ~5-9%

San Bernardino has exceptional freeway infrastructure (10/215/210) and a growing cargo airport (SBD) that adds unique air freight capability at below-market rates. It's a strong value play with diverse inventory and particularly good options for food/bev, manufacturing, and government users.

Best for: Air freight users, manufacturing, government/defense, cost-sensitive distributors.

Rancho Cucamonga — Best for Image and Prestige

Lease rate: $1.30 – $1.85 NNN | Vacancy: ~4-7%

Rancho Cucamonga is the IE's premium address — polished business parks, mountain views, and proximity to executive housing. The inventory skews toward Class A product with high-image finishes. It costs more, but for companies that want a prestigious IE address, there's no better option.

Best for: Corporate users, tech-adjacent industrial, showroom/warehouse, light manufacturing.

How to Choose the Right City

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Where are my customers? If you're serving Orange County, Corona makes more sense than Perris. If you're serving the whole West Coast, Ontario or Fontana maximizes freeway reach.
2. Where do my drivers live? Labor availability is increasingly critical. A warehouse your workforce can realistically get to is worth more than a cheaper building 45 minutes from where they live.
3. What size do I need? Some cities have limited small-bay product, others are dominated by large-format buildings. Match your size requirement to where the inventory actually is.
4. How important is price vs. location? Every mile east on the 10 generally means lower rates. The question is how much that distance costs you in logistics and labor.

The Bottom Line

There's no universally "best" city — the right choice depends on your specific operation, your customers, and your budget. What we can tell you is that the IE offers more industrial inventory than almost anywhere in the country, and there is genuinely good space available right now at every price point.

If you want a curated shortlist of available spaces matched to your exact requirements, reach out — the service is completely free.