CostIndexUSA

Fontana, CA vs Fresno, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Fontana
106.4
overall index
$2,475/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Fresno
102.2
overall index
$1,850/mo rent

Fresno is slightly cheaper than Fontana — 3.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fontana, you would need $76,800 in Fresno. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing26.0%
Fontana
129.3
Fresno
95.7
🛒 Groceries+3.7%
Fontana
101.4
Fresno
105.2
🚗 Transportation0.9%
Fontana
106.3
Fresno
105.3
🏥 Healthcare0.9%
Fontana
96.2
Fresno
95.3
Utilities+8.3%
Fontana
148.6
Fresno
161

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Fresno, CA
$76,800
$3,200 less needed in Fresno

Formula: salary × (102.2 ÷ 106.4) = salary × 0.9605. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fontana, CA

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

Fresno, CA

Median Home Price
$401,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
95.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Fontana has 26.0% lower housing costs compared to Fresno.

Income & Job Market

Fontana, CA

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

Fresno, CA

Median Household Income
$71,100
Per Capita Income
$40,500
Unemployment Rate
7.4%
Population
542,107
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareGovernmentEducationManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

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

Fontana, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

66% of income left after rent (median)

Fresno, CA
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% 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.