El Cajon, CA vs Fontana, CA

Fontana is moderately more affordable than El Cajon, with a 6.6% lower cost of living index. El Cajon scores 145 compared to 136 for Fontana, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of El Cajon can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in El Cajon is $1,790/month compared to $1,733/month in Fontana — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fontana is more affordable at $558,500 median vs $632,800.

Median household income in El Cajon is $66,478 compared to $98,187 in Fontana (-32.3%). Fontana offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of El Cajon spend roughly 32.3% of their income on rent, more than the 21.2% in Fontana. The Fontana ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64.1°F vs 66.8°F). Fontana receives more rainfall at 11.6" per year compared to 11" in El Cajon.