Fontana, CA vs San Mateo, CA

The cost of living difference between Fontana, CA and San Mateo, CA is dramatic. Fontana is 48.3% cheaper than San Mateo, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fontana has a cost index of 136 while San Mateo sits at 263, 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 $3,079/month in San Mateo — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fontana is more affordable at $558,500 median vs $1,563,200.

Median household income in Fontana is $98,187 compared to $152,669 in San Mateo (-35.7%). The higher salaries in San Mateo 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 24.2% in San Mateo.

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