Cost of Living: Arlington, TX vs Fontana, CA (2026)

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

Fontana

California
146

Arlington is 35% cheaper than Fontana.

$1,389/mo ↓ 20%
Median Rent
$1,733/mo ↑ 25%
$73,519/yr ↓ 25%
Median Income
$98,187/yr ↑ 34%
$276,400 ↓ 51%
Home Value
$558,500 ↑ 102%
$1,420/mo ↓ 29%
Owner Costs
$1,990/mo ↑ 40%
394,769
Population
211,921

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

22.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, TX and Fontana, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 146 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $344/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $4,128/year.

Median household income is $24,668/year higher in Fontana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $558,500 in Fontana.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Arlington residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Fontana — common questions

Is Arlington or Fontana cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 146 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Fontana?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in Fontana it's $1,733/month — a difference of $344/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Fontana?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $98,187 in Fontana. Median household income is $24,668/year higher in Fontana.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Fontana?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/mo, while Fontana has a cost index of 146 with rent of $1,733/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Fontana details →

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