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

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Fontana

California
146

San Antonio is 44% cheaper than Fontana.

$1,258/mo ↓ 27%
Median Rent
$1,733/mo ↑ 38%
$62,917/yr ↓ 36%
Median Income
$98,187/yr ↑ 56%
$219,700 ↓ 61%
Home Value
$558,500 ↑ 154%
$1,235/mo ↓ 38%
Owner Costs
$1,990/mo ↑ 61%
1,458,954
Population
211,921

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Fontana, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 146 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $475/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $5,700/year.

Median household income is $35,270/year higher in Fontana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $558,500 in Fontana.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Fontana — common questions

Is San Antonio or Fontana cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 146 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Fontana?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Fontana it's $1,733/month — a difference of $475/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Fontana?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $98,187 in Fontana. Median household income is $35,270/year higher in Fontana.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or Fontana?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/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 San Antonio details → View Fontana details →

More Comparisons

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