Fontana, CA vs Oakland, CA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Fontana is 22.4% cheaper than Oakland. With a cost index of 136 vs 175, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Fontana to Oakland should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fontana is $1,733/month compared to $1,917/month in Oakland — a 10% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fontana is more affordable at $558,500 median vs $924,700.

Median household income in Fontana is $98,187 compared to $97,369 in Oakland (+0.8%). 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 23.6% in Oakland.

Climate-wise, Fontana is notably warmer with an average of 66.8°F compared to 58.1°F in Oakland. Oakland receives more rainfall at 18.7" per year compared to 11.6" in Fontana.