City Comparison
Fontana vs Anaheim
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fontana scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fontana
Anaheim
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fontana is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Anaheim.
| Metric | Fontana | Anaheim | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,400 | $2,487 | -3% |
| Groceries | $400 | $411 | -3% |
| Utilities | $180 | $262 | -31% |
| Transport | $120 | $514 | -77% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $139 | +80% |
| Monthly Total | $3,350 | $3,813 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 149 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fontana offers 84% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fontana delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fontana is estimated at
$65,000 vs $59,000 in Anaheim.
| Metric | Fontana | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $39,182 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $59,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,925 idx | 26,297 idx |
| Household Income | $102,821 | $95,227 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fontana runs warmer on average — a 67.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fontana comes out ahead with 322 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fontana sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fontana | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 67.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 93.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 48.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 25.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 322 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 60.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Anaheim has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Fontana.
Anaheim scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Anaheim leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fontana | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 33 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 37.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 67.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anaheim is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Fontana.
From a growth perspective, Fontana is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fontana | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,223 | 346,597 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.15% | 0.31% |
| Median Age | 33.8 | 34.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | $22.8B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fontana
Advantages
Median household income stands robustly at $102,821 per the U.S. Census Bureau ACS data.
More affordable housing options compared to coastal Los Angeles and Orange County markets.
Strategic Inland Empire location offering strong employment in logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare.
Abundant family-oriented amenities including parks, regional recreation areas, and modern libraries.
Strong population growth and ongoing downtown revitalization initiatives enhancing local retail and dining.
Drawbacks
Cost of living runs above the national average, driven primarily by housing and transportation costs.
High car dependency with significant regional commute times and heavy freeway traffic.
Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F, requiring high seasonal utility usage for cooling.
Rental market competition remains fierce, with average monthly rents significantly outpacing national norms.
Air quality in the Inland Empire basin can experience periodic challenges due to regional geography and logistics traffic.
Anaheim
Advantages
Anaheim boasts a diverse job market with strong opportunities in tourism, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with over 280 sunny days annually, ideal for outdoor activities.
Home to world-renowned entertainment like Disneyland Resort, offering abundant recreational and cultural attractions.
Healthcare costs are approximately 7% lower than the national average.
The unemployment rate in Anaheim was 3.2% in March 2026, below state and county averages.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Anaheim is significantly high, approximately 48.7% above the national average.
Housing costs are particularly expensive, being around 175.1% higher than the U.S. average.
Anaheim has a higher violent crime rate (596.2 per 100,000 residents) compared to the national average.
Traffic congestion is a notable issue, especially on major freeways and around popular attractions.
Public transportation options are limited, leading to high car dependency for most residents.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Fontana
#297California, USA
61.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,400
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
106
Commute
33 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
37.0/100
Sunny Days
322/yr
Avg Temp
67.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.15%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
74
Business
70
Anaheim
#597California, USA
41.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,487
Avg Salary
$39,182
Cost Index
149
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.31%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
72
Business
70
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