Fontana, CA vs Mountain View, CA

The cost of living difference between Fontana, CA and Mountain View, CA is dramatic. Fontana is 52.8% cheaper than Mountain View, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fontana has a cost index of 136 while Mountain View sits at 288, 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 $2,975/month in Mountain View — a 42% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fontana is more affordable at $558,500 median vs $1,927,400.

Median household income in Fontana is $98,187 compared to $179,917 in Mountain View (-45.4%). The higher salaries in Mountain View 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, more than the 19.8% in Mountain View.

Climate-wise, Fontana is notably warmer with an average of 66.8°F compared to 59.9°F in Mountain View. Mountain View receives more rainfall at 13.5" per year compared to 11.6" in Fontana.