Fontana, CA vs Hawthorne, CA

Fontana is moderately more affordable than Hawthorne, with a 14.6% lower cost of living index. Fontana scores 136 compared to 159 for Hawthorne, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hawthorne can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fontana is $1,733/month compared to $1,723/month in Hawthorne — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hawthorne has cheaper rent, Fontana actually has lower median home values ($558,500 vs $813,700).

Median household income in Fontana is $98,187 compared to $72,719 in Hawthorne (+35%). 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 Fontana spend roughly 21.2% of their income on rent, less than the 28.4% in Hawthorne.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66.8°F vs 64.5°F). Hawthorne receives more rainfall at 11.8" per year compared to 11.6" in Fontana.