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

Fontana

California
146
VS

Midland

Texas
99

Fontana is 47% more expensive than Midland.

$1,733/mo ↑ 23%
Median Rent
$1,407/mo ↓ 19%
$98,187/yr ↑ 8%
Median Income
$91,169/yr ↓ 7%
$558,500 ↑ 87%
Home Value
$298,600 ↓ 47%
$1,990/mo ↑ 36%
Owner Costs
$1,468/mo ↓ 26%
211,921
Population
133,998

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
18.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fontana, CA and Midland, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 146 and 99 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $326/month cheaper in Midland, saving renters about $3,912/year.

Median household income is $7,018/year higher in Fontana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fontana is $558,500 compared to $298,600 in Midland.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fontana vs Midland — common questions

Is Fontana or Midland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Midland is cheaper to live in with an index of 99 compared to 146 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fontana and Midland?
Median rent in Fontana is $1,733/month and in Midland it's $1,407/month — a difference of $326/month.
Which city has higher income, Fontana or Midland?
Median household income is $98,187 in Fontana and $91,169 in Midland. Median household income is $7,018/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 Midland?
It depends on your priorities. Fontana has a cost index of 146 with median rent of $1,733/mo, while Midland has a cost index of 99 with rent of $1,407/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fontana details → View Midland details →

More Comparisons

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