Fontana, CA vs San Ramon, CA

The cost of living difference between Fontana, CA and San Ramon, CA is dramatic. Fontana is 43.6% cheaper than San Ramon, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fontana has a cost index of 136 while San Ramon sits at 241, 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 $2,916/month in San Ramon — a 41% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fontana is more affordable at $558,500 median vs $1,359,100.

Median household income in Fontana is $98,187 compared to $197,358 in San Ramon (-50.2%). While San Ramon 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 17.7% in San Ramon.

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