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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Fontana

California
146

San Francisco is 83% more expensive than Fontana.

$2,419/mo ↑ 40%
Median Rent
$1,733/mo ↓ 28%
$141,446/yr ↑ 44%
Median Income
$98,187/yr ↓ 31%
$1,380,500 ↑ 147%
Home Value
$558,500 ↓ 60%
$2,620/mo ↑ 32%
Owner Costs
$1,990/mo ↓ 24%
836,321
Population
211,921

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Fontana, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 146 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $686/month cheaper in Fontana, saving renters about $8,232/year.

Median household income is $43,259/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $558,500 in Fontana.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Fontana — common questions

Is San Francisco or Fontana cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fontana is cheaper to live in with an index of 146 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Fontana?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Fontana it's $1,733/month — a difference of $686/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Fontana?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $98,187 in Fontana. Median household income is $43,259/year higher in San Francisco.
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 San Francisco or Fontana?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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 Francisco details → View Fontana details →

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