Fontana, CA vs Vacaville, CA

Fontana is moderately more affordable than Vacaville, with a 12.2% lower cost of living index. Fontana scores 136 compared to 155 for Vacaville, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Vacaville 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 $2,227/month in Vacaville — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fontana is more affordable at $558,500 median vs $596,700.

Median household income in Fontana is $98,187 compared to $108,580 in Vacaville (-9.6%). The higher salaries in Vacaville 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 24.6% in Vacaville.

Climate-wise, Fontana is notably warmer with an average of 66.8°F compared to 62.1°F in Vacaville. Vacaville receives more rainfall at 24.8" per year compared to 11.6" in Fontana.