Fontana, CA vs Santa Ana, CA

Fontana is moderately more affordable than Santa Ana, with a 11.7% lower cost of living index. Fontana scores 136 compared to 154 for Santa Ana, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Santa Ana can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fontana is $1,733/month compared to $1,975/month in Santa Ana — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fontana is more affordable at $558,500 median vs $657,800.

Median household income in Fontana is $98,187 compared to $88,354 in Santa Ana (+11.1%). 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 26.8% in Santa Ana.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66.8°F vs 64.9°F). Fontana receives more rainfall at 11.6" per year compared to 11.2" in Santa Ana.