Fontana, CA vs Redwood City, CA

The cost of living difference between Fontana, CA and Redwood City, CA is dramatic. Fontana is 51.7% cheaper than Redwood City, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fontana has a cost index of 136 while Redwood City sits at 282, 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 $2,959/month in Redwood City — a 41% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fontana is more affordable at $558,500 median vs $1,838,800.

Median household income in Fontana is $98,187 compared to $150,840 in Redwood City (-34.9%). The higher salaries in Redwood City 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, less than the 23.5% in Redwood City.

Climate-wise, Fontana is notably warmer with an average of 66.8°F compared to 58.7°F in Redwood City. Redwood City receives more rainfall at 19.6" per year compared to 11.6" in Fontana.