Fontana, CA vs Pleasanton, CA

The cost of living difference between Fontana, CA and Pleasanton, CA is dramatic. Fontana is 45.6% cheaper than Pleasanton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fontana has a cost index of 136 while Pleasanton sits at 250, 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 $3,017/month in Pleasanton — a 43% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fontana is more affordable at $558,500 median vs $1,432,300.

Median household income in Fontana is $98,187 compared to $186,206 in Pleasanton (-47.3%). While Pleasanton 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 19.4% in Pleasanton.

Climate-wise, Fontana is notably warmer with an average of 66.8°F compared to 59.9°F in Pleasanton. Pleasanton receives more rainfall at 15.2" per year compared to 11.6" in Fontana.