CostIndexUSA

Fontana, CA vs San Diego, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCA
Fontana
106.4
overall index
$2,475/mo rent
CA
San Diego
111.9
overall index
$2,875/mo rent

Fontana is moderately cheaper than San Diego — 5.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fontana, you would need $84,100 in San Diego. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+38.7%
Fontana
129.3
San Diego
179.3
🛒 Groceries+6.5%
Fontana
101.4
San Diego
108
🚗 Transportation1.6%
Fontana
106.3
San Diego
104.6
🏥 Healthcare1.7%
Fontana
96.2
San Diego
94.6
Utilities+17.2%
Fontana
148.6
San Diego
174.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in San Diego, CA
$84,100
$4,100 more needed in San Diego

Formula: salary × (111.9 ÷ 106.4) = salary × 1.0517. 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×

San Diego, CA

Median Home Price
$904,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,875
Housing Index
179.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.2×

San Diego has 38.7% higher housing costs compared to Fontana.

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

San Diego, CA

Median Household Income
$103,700
Per Capita Income
$59,100
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
1,386,932
Top Industries
MilitaryTechnologyTourismBiotechnologyHealthcare

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)

San Diego, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.