City Comparison
Fontana vs Riverside
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fontana scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fontana
Riverside
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Riverside is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Fontana.
| Metric | Fontana | Riverside | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,400 | $2,269 | +6% |
| Groceries | $400 | $420 | -5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $190 | -5% |
| Transport | $120 | $130 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $240 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $3,350 | $3,249 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fontana offers 6% 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 $58,000 in Riverside.
| Metric | Fontana | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,925 idx | 57,627 idx |
| Household Income | $102,821 | $91,045 |
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 | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 52.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Riverside scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Riverside leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fontana | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 33 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 37.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 62.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Riverside is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Fontana.
From a growth perspective, Fontana is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Fontana | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,223 | 323,057 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.15% | 0.61% |
| Median Age | 33.8 | 33.6 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 5.10% |
| 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.
Riverside
Advantages
Median home prices and rents remain significantly more affordable in Riverside compared to coastal Southern California markets like Los Angeles and Orange County.
The city features prominent cultural landmarks and attractions, including the historic Mission Inn and the nationally renowned Festival of Lights.
Proximity to higher education powerhouses like UC Riverside drives local innovation, arts, and a young, dynamic demographic baseline.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities are easily accessible, highlighted by Mount Rubidoux Park and regional wilderness reserves.
A strategic geographic location with robust freeway and rail connectivity links residents directly to major Southern California job centers.
Drawbacks
Regional air quality and summer ozone levels can be challenged by inland valley geography and heavy regional commuter traffic.
A considerable percentage of the local workforce commutes outside the city or county for employment, leading to heavy peak-hour freeway congestion.
Local summer temperatures frequently climb well above comfortable thresholds, driving up residential cooling and utility costs.
Overall cost of living indices remain higher than the national U.S. average, posing budget challenges for lower-income households.
Property crime rates in specific commercial corridors and transit-adjacent pockets require ongoing community and municipal intervention.
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
Riverside
#463California, USA
54.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,269
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.61%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
75
Business
70
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