Fontana, CA vs Irvine, CA

The cost of living difference between Fontana, CA and Irvine, CA is dramatic. Fontana is 38% cheaper than Irvine, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fontana has a cost index of 136 while Irvine sits at 219, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Fontana is $1,733/month compared to $2,893/month in Irvine — a 40% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fontana is more affordable at $558,500 median vs $1,115,400.

Median household income in Fontana is $98,187 compared to $129,647 in Irvine (-24.3%). The higher salaries in Irvine partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Fontana spend roughly 21.2% of their income on rent, less than the 26.8% in Irvine.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66.8°F vs 64.9°F). Fontana receives more rainfall at 11.6" per year compared to 11.2" in Irvine.