City Comparison
Fontana vs Moreno Valley
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fontana scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fontana
Moreno Valley
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Moreno Valley is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Fontana.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fontana's average rent is
28% higher than Moreno Valley's.
| Metric | Fontana | Moreno Valley | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,400 | $1,881 | +28% |
| Groceries | $400 | $413 | -3% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $410 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $302 | -17% |
| Monthly Total | $3,350 | $3,186 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 117 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fontana offers 22% 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 $70,000 in Moreno Valley.
| Metric | Fontana | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $58,932 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,925 idx | 50,369 idx |
| Household Income | $102,821 | $93,222 |
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 | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Moreno Valley 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 | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 33 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 37.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fontana is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Fontana is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Moreno Valley has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fontana | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,223 | 215,549 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.15% | 0.60% |
| Median Age | 33.8 | 32.5 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 5.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
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.
Moreno Valley
Advantages
More affordable housing market compared to other major Southern California cities, with median home prices significantly lower than Murrieta and Temecula.
Strategic location with direct freeway access to Los Angeles and Orange County, offering shorter commute times for many.
Growing industrial sector, particularly in logistics and warehousing, providing steady employment opportunities.
Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters, conducive to outdoor activities year-round.
Diverse and relatively young population, contributing to a vibrant community atmosphere.
Drawbacks
Cost of living is 17% higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing and transportation costs.
Higher violent and property crime rates compared to national averages.
Heavily car-dependent city with a walk score of 0, necessitating a car for most daily activities.
Recent job growth has seen a decline of 1.38% in employment from June 2025 to June 2026.
School performance and safety statistics reportedly lag behind some neighboring cities like Murrieta and Temecula.
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
Moreno Valley
#552California, USA
48.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,881
Avg Salary
$58,932
Cost Index
117
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.60%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
65
Business
70
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