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

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Fontana

California
146

Austin is 8% cheaper than Fontana.

$1,655/mo ↓ 5%
Median Rent
$1,733/mo ↑ 5%
$91,461/yr ↓ 7%
Median Income
$98,187/yr ↑ 7%
$512,700 ↓ 8%
Home Value
$558,500 ↑ 9%
$1,747/mo ↓ 12%
Owner Costs
$1,990/mo ↑ 14%
967,862
Population
211,921

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Fontana, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 146 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $78/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $936/year.

Median household income is $6,726/year higher in Fontana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $558,500 in Fontana.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Fontana — common questions

Is Austin or Fontana cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Austin is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 146 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Fontana?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Fontana it's $1,733/month — a difference of $78/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Fontana?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $98,187 in Fontana. Median household income is $6,726/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 Austin or Fontana?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/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 Austin details → View Fontana details →

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