Fontana, CA vs Milpitas, CA

The cost of living difference between Fontana, CA and Milpitas, CA is dramatic. Fontana is 41.1% cheaper than Milpitas, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fontana has a cost index of 136 while Milpitas sits at 231, 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 $3,112/month in Milpitas — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fontana is more affordable at $558,500 median vs $1,180,000.

Median household income in Fontana is $98,187 compared to $176,822 in Milpitas (-44.5%). While Milpitas is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fontana spend roughly 21.2% of their income on rent, more than the 21.1% in Milpitas.

Climate-wise, Fontana is notably warmer with an average of 66.8°F compared to 60.7°F in Milpitas. Milpitas receives more rainfall at 13.5" per year compared to 11.6" in Fontana.