Fontana, CA vs Santa Monica, CA

The cost of living difference between Fontana, CA and Santa Monica, CA is dramatic. Fontana is 47.6% cheaper than Santa Monica, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fontana has a cost index of 136 while Santa Monica sits at 259, 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 $2,338/month in Santa Monica — a 26% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fontana is more affordable at $558,500 median vs $1,810,200.

Median household income in Fontana is $98,187 compared to $109,739 in Santa Monica (-10.5%). Santa Monica does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Fontana spend roughly 21.2% of their income on rent, less than the 25.6% in Santa Monica.

Climate-wise, Fontana is notably warmer with an average of 66.8°F compared to 62.8°F in Santa Monica. Santa Monica receives more rainfall at 13.5" per year compared to 11.6" in Fontana.