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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Fontana

California
146

San Jose is 74% more expensive than Fontana.

$2,617/mo ↑ 51%
Median Rent
$1,733/mo ↓ 34%
$141,565/yr ↑ 44%
Median Income
$98,187/yr ↓ 31%
$1,187,800 ↑ 113%
Home Value
$558,500 ↓ 53%
$2,775/mo ↑ 39%
Owner Costs
$1,990/mo ↓ 28%
990,054
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

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Fontana, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 146 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $884/month cheaper in Fontana, saving renters about $10,608/year.

Median household income is $43,378/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $558,500 in Fontana.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Fontana — common questions

Is San Jose or Fontana cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fontana is cheaper to live in with an index of 146 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Fontana?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Fontana it's $1,733/month — a difference of $884/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Fontana?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $98,187 in Fontana. Median household income is $43,378/year higher in San Jose.
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 Jose or Fontana?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 Jose details → View Fontana details →

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