Fontana, CA vs Riverside, CA

Fontana, CA and Riverside, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.8% difference in their overall index. Fontana scores 136 while Riverside scores 137 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fontana is $1,733/month compared to $1,812/month in Riverside — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fontana has cheaper rent, Riverside actually has lower median home values ($542,100 vs $558,500).

Median household income in Fontana is $98,187 compared to $88,575 in Riverside (+10.9%). 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 24.5% in Riverside.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66.8°F vs 66.2°F). Fontana receives more rainfall at 11.6" per year compared to 9.4" in Riverside.