Cost of Living: Fontana, CA vs Visalia, CA (2026)

Fontana

California
146
VS

Visalia

California
104

Fontana is 40% more expensive than Visalia.

$1,733/mo ↑ 24%
Median Rent
$1,397/mo ↓ 19%
$98,187/yr ↑ 23%
Median Income
$79,952/yr ↓ 19%
$558,500 ↑ 64%
Home Value
$340,600 ↓ 39%
$1,990/mo ↑ 32%
Owner Costs
$1,509/mo ↓ 24%
211,921
Population
142,649

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fontana, CA and Visalia, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 146 and 104 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $336/month cheaper in Visalia, saving renters about $4,032/year.

Median household income is $18,235/year higher in Fontana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fontana is $558,500 compared to $340,600 in Visalia.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fontana vs Visalia — common questions

Is Fontana or Visalia cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Visalia is cheaper to live in with an index of 104 compared to 146 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fontana and Visalia?
Median rent in Fontana is $1,733/month and in Visalia it's $1,397/month — a difference of $336/month.
Which city has higher income, Fontana or Visalia?
Median household income is $98,187 in Fontana and $79,952 in Visalia. Median household income is $18,235/year higher in Fontana.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Fontana or Visalia?
It depends on your priorities. Fontana has a cost index of 146 with median rent of $1,733/mo, while Visalia has a cost index of 104 with rent of $1,397/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fontana details → View Visalia details →

More Comparisons

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Fontana vs. Des Moines Fontana vs. Moreno Valley Fontana vs. Modesto Fontana vs. Frisco Fontana vs. Huntsville Fontana vs. Rochester Visalia vs. Thornton Visalia vs. Waco Visalia vs. Torrance Visalia vs. Fullerton Visalia vs. Gainesville Visalia vs. Metairie