Carson, CA vs Fontana, CA

Fontana is moderately more affordable than Carson, with a 11.2% lower cost of living index. Carson scores 151 compared to 136 for Fontana, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Carson can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Carson is $1,914/month compared to $1,733/month in Fontana — a 10% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fontana is more affordable at $558,500 median vs $645,600.

Median household income in Carson is $107,391 compared to $98,187 in Fontana (+9.4%). The higher salaries in Carson partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Carson spend roughly 21.4% of their income on rent, more than the 21.2% in Fontana.