Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Fontana, CA (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Fontana

California
146

Cleveland is 65% cheaper than Fontana.

$894/mo ↓ 48%
Median Rent
$1,733/mo ↑ 94%
$39,187/yr ↓ 60%
Median Income
$98,187/yr ↑ 151%
$94,100 ↓ 83%
Home Value
$558,500 ↑ 494%
$866/mo ↓ 56%
Owner Costs
$1,990/mo ↑ 130%
367,523
Population
211,921

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
13.3%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Fontana, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 146 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $839/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $10,068/year.

Median household income is $59,000/year higher in Fontana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $558,500 in Fontana.

Ohio has a lower income tax rate, making Cleveland slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Fontana — common questions

Is Cleveland or Fontana cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 146 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Fontana?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Fontana it's $1,733/month — a difference of $839/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Fontana?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $98,187 in Fontana. Median household income is $59,000/year higher in Fontana.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and California?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Fontana?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/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 Cleveland details → View Fontana details →

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