City Comparison
Fontana vs Los Angeles
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fontana scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fontana
Los Angeles
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Los Angeles is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Fontana.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fontana's average rent is
10% higher than Los Angeles's.
| Metric | Fontana | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,400 | $2,184 | +10% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $231 | -22% |
| Transport | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $3,350 | $3,015 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 149 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fontana offers 48% 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 $61,558 in Los Angeles.
| Metric | Fontana | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $48,651 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $61,558 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,925 idx | 32,652 idx |
| Household Income | $102,821 | $81,939 |
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 | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Los Angeles has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Fontana.
Fontana scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Fontana leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fontana | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 33 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 37.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Angeles is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Fontana.
From a growth perspective, Fontana is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fontana has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fontana | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,223 | 3,863,148 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.15% | — |
| Median Age | 33.8 | 37.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | $1,000.0B |
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.
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, particularly in entertainment, healthcare, and technology sectors, offering varied job opportunities.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine, making it ideal for outdoor activities year-round.
Healthcare quality is high, with major institutions like LA General Medical Center receiving top safety grades and exceeding state benchmarks.
Los Angeles is a global cultural hub, offering a rich array of arts, dining, and entertainment options.
Homicides in Los Angeles decreased by 19% in 2025 compared to 2024, marking the lowest number since 1966.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly high, with housing expenses being 135% higher than the national average.
Los Angeles is a highly car-dependent city, leading to severe traffic congestion and long commute times, averaging 30 minutes.
The city's population is experiencing a slight annual decline, with a -0.15% growth rate projected for 2026.
Despite improvements, Los Angeles's safety score of 58/100 indicates a moderate crime rate, higher than the average U.S. city.
Utility costs in Los Angeles are 9% higher than the national average, adding to the overall expense of living.
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
Los Angeles
#567California, USA
47.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,184
Avg Salary
$48,651
Cost Index
149
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
70
Business
75
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