Cost of Living: Portland, OR vs Fontana, CA (2026)

Portland

Oregon
138
VS

Fontana

California
146

Portland is 5% cheaper than Fontana.

$1,596/mo ↓ 8%
Median Rent
$1,733/mo ↑ 9%
$88,792/yr ↓ 10%
Median Income
$98,187/yr ↑ 11%
$557,600 ≈ Same
Home Value
$558,500 ≈ Same
$1,771/mo ↓ 11%
Owner Costs
$1,990/mo ↑ 12%
642,715
Population
211,921

Tax Comparison

9.9%
Income Tax
13.3%
0%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

21.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Portland, OR and Fontana, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 146 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $137/month cheaper in Portland, saving renters about $1,644/year.

Median household income is $9,395/year higher in Fontana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Portland is $557,600 compared to $558,500 in Fontana.

Oregon has a lower income tax rate, making Portland slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Portland vs Fontana — common questions

Is Portland or Fontana cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Portland is cheaper to live in with an index of 138 compared to 146 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Portland and Fontana?
Median rent in Portland is $1,596/month and in Fontana it's $1,733/month — a difference of $137/month.
Which city has higher income, Portland or Fontana?
Median household income is $88,792 in Portland and $98,187 in Fontana. Median household income is $9,395/year higher in Fontana.
How do taxes compare between Oregon and California?
Oregon has 9.9% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Portland or Fontana?
It depends on your priorities. Portland has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,596/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 Portland details → View Fontana details →

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