CostIndexUSA

Albany, NY vs Fontana, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNY
Albany
99.6
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
CA
Fontana
106.4
overall index
$2,475/mo rent

Albany is moderately cheaper than Fontana — 6.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Albany, you would need $85,500 in Fontana. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+26.0%
Albany
102.6
Fontana
129.3
🛒 Groceries+1.7%
Albany
99.7
Fontana
101.4
🚗 Transportation+3.6%
Albany
102.6
Fontana
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+3.6%
Albany
92.9
Fontana
96.2
Utilities+10.9%
Albany
134
Fontana
148.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Albany to see what you'd need to earn in Fontana to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Fontana, CA
$85,500
$5,500 more needed in Fontana

Formula: salary × (106.4 ÷ 99.6) = salary × 1.0683. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Albany, NY

Median Home Price
$350,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
102.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Fontana, CA

Median Home Price
$576,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,475
Housing Index
129.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Fontana has 26.0% higher housing costs compared to Albany.

Income & Job Market

Albany, NY

Median Household Income
$82,400
Per Capita Income
$47,000
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
98,111
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareEducationFinanceTechnology

Fontana, CA

Median Household Income
$87,800
Per Capita Income
$50,000
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
214,547
Top Industries
ManufacturingLogisticsHealthcareRetailConstruction

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Albany, NY
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Fontana, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

66% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.