City Comparison
Fontana vs San Bernardino
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fontana scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fontana
San Bernardino
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
San Bernardino is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Fontana.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fontana's average rent is
33% higher than San Bernardino's.
| Metric | Fontana | San Bernardino | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,400 | $1,803 | +33% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,350 | $2,803 | +20% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 124 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fontana offers 13% 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 $55,000 in San Bernardino.
| Metric | Fontana | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $63,500 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,925 idx | 51,210 idx |
| Household Income | $102,821 | $67,415 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.40000000000001°F of each other.
| Metric | Fontana | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 67.20°F | 66.80°F |
| Summer High | 93.00°F | 93.30°F |
| Winter Low | 48.10°F | 44.70°F |
| Rainfall | 25.40 in | 19.60 in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | 0.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 322 | 328 |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
San Bernardino has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Fontana.
San Bernardino scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, San Bernardino leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fontana | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 33 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 37.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
San Bernardino is the larger city
.
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 | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,223 | 222,044 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.15% | 0.01% |
| Median Age | 33.8 | 32.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 5.50% |
| 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.
San Bernardino
Advantages
More affordable cost of living compared to coastal California cities.
Proximity to diverse outdoor recreational opportunities, including mountains and deserts.
Growing logistics and transportation industry providing job opportunities.
Developing urban core with ongoing revitalization efforts.
Diverse and multicultural population contributing to a rich community fabric.
Drawbacks
Higher crime rates compared to state and national averages, particularly property crime and vehicle theft.
Housing costs are higher than the national average.
Car dependency is high, with public transportation options being less comprehensive.
Economic disparities exist within the population.
Perception of safety can be a concern for some 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
San Bernardino
#604California, USA
37.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,803
Avg Salary
$63,500
Cost Index
124
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
328/yr
Avg Temp
66.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.01%
Unemployment
5.50%
Livability
70
Business
68
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