Fontana, CA vs South Gate, CA

Fontana, CA and South Gate, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.9% difference in their overall index. Fontana scores 136 while South Gate scores 135 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 $1,471/month in South Gate — a 18% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while South Gate has cheaper rent, Fontana actually has lower median home values ($558,500 vs $608,500).

Median household income in Fontana is $98,187 compared to $71,315 in South Gate (+37.7%). While Fontana 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, less than the 24.8% in South Gate.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66.8°F vs 65.8°F). South Gate receives more rainfall at 14.3" per year compared to 11.6" in Fontana.