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

Fontana

California
146
VS

Amarillo

Texas
69

Fontana is 112% more expensive than Amarillo.

$1,733/mo ↑ 65%
Median Rent
$1,049/mo ↓ 39%
$98,187/yr ↑ 57%
Median Income
$62,469/yr ↓ 36%
$558,500 ↑ 199%
Home Value
$186,800 ↓ 67%
$1,990/mo ↑ 85%
Owner Costs
$1,074/mo ↓ 46%
211,921
Population
200,945

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fontana, CA and Amarillo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 146 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $684/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $8,208/year.

Median household income is $35,718/year higher in Fontana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fontana is $558,500 compared to $186,800 in Amarillo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fontana vs Amarillo — common questions

Is Fontana or Amarillo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 146 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fontana and Amarillo?
Median rent in Fontana is $1,733/month and in Amarillo it's $1,049/month — a difference of $684/month.
Which city has higher income, Fontana or Amarillo?
Median household income is $98,187 in Fontana and $62,469 in Amarillo. Median household income is $35,718/year higher in Fontana.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Fontana or Amarillo?
It depends on your priorities. Fontana has a cost index of 146 with median rent of $1,733/mo, while Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with rent of $1,049/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fontana details → View Amarillo details →

More Comparisons

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