El Monte, CA vs Fontana, CA

El Monte, CA and Fontana, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.7% difference in their overall index. El Monte scores 142 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 El Monte is $1,677/month compared to $1,733/month in Fontana — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while El Monte has cheaper rent, Fontana actually has lower median home values ($558,500 vs $626,000).

Median household income in El Monte is $64,484 compared to $98,187 in Fontana (-34.3%). 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 Monte spend roughly 31.2% 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 (65.8°F vs 66.8°F). El Monte receives more rainfall at 14.3" per year compared to 11.6" in Fontana.