Fontana, CA vs Vista, CA

Fontana is moderately more affordable than Vista, with a 14.6% lower cost of living index. Fontana scores 136 compared to 159 for Vista, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Vista 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 $2,148/month in Vista — a 19% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fontana is more affordable at $558,500 median vs $674,400.

Median household income in Fontana is $98,187 compared to $91,854 in Vista (+6.9%). 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 28.1% in Vista.

Climate-wise, Fontana is notably warmer with an average of 66.8°F compared to 62.5°F in Vista. Fontana receives more rainfall at 11.6" per year compared to 11.4" in Vista.