Fontana, CA vs Lake Elsinore, CA

Fontana, CA and Lake Elsinore, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.9% difference in their overall index. Fontana scores 136 while Lake Elsinore scores 137 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 Fontana is $1,733/month compared to $1,915/month in Lake Elsinore — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fontana has cheaper rent, Lake Elsinore actually has lower median home values ($505,700 vs $558,500).

Median household income in Fontana is $98,187 compared to $96,527 in Lake Elsinore (+1.7%). 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 23.8% in Lake Elsinore.

Climate-wise, Fontana is notably warmer with an average of 66.8°F compared to 63.3°F in Lake Elsinore. Fontana receives more rainfall at 11.6" per year compared to 10.7" in Lake Elsinore.