East Los Angeles, CA vs Fontana, CA
East Los Angeles, CA and Fontana, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.5% difference in their overall index. East Los Angeles scores 134 while Fontana scores 136 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.
On the housing front, median rent in East Los Angeles is $1,431/month compared to $1,733/month in Fontana — a 17% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while East Los Angeles has cheaper rent, Fontana actually has lower median home values ($558,500 vs $613,600).
Median household income in East Los Angeles is $68,378 compared to $98,187 in Fontana (-30.4%). While Fontana is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of East Los Angeles spend roughly 25.1% of their income on rent, more than the 21.2% in Fontana.
Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (65.8°F vs 66.8°F). East Los Angeles receives more rainfall at 14.3" per year compared to 11.6" in Fontana.
Income & Cost
Housing
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Rent by Bedroom Size
HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average
Everyday Prices
BLS Average Prices by metro area
Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)