City Comparison
Fontana vs San Francisco
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fontana scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fontana
San Francisco
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fontana is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
41% lower than in San Francisco.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fontana's average rent is
46% lower than San Francisco's.
| Metric | Fontana | San Francisco | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,400 | $4,475 | -46% |
| Groceries | $400 | $550 | -27% |
| Utilities | $180 | $210 | -14% |
| Transport | $120 | $105 | +14% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $310 | -19% |
| Monthly Total | $3,350 | $5,650 | -41% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 168 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
San Francisco offers 28% lower 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 $85,000 in San Francisco.
| Metric | Fontana | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $100,200 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $85,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,925 idx | 59,643 idx |
| Household Income | $102,821 | $140,970 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fontana runs warmer on average — a 9.7°F difference year-round.
Winter severity differs too — Fontana sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fontana | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 67.20°F | 57.50°F |
| Summer High | 93.00°F | 65.00°F |
| Winter Low | 48.10°F | 46.10°F |
| Rainfall | 25.40 in | 21.00 in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 322 | 313 |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
San Francisco scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, San Francisco leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fontana | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 33 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 80.0/100 |
| Walkability | 37.0/100 | 87.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 62.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
San Francisco is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Fontana.
From a growth perspective, Fontana is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fontana | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,223 | 826,079 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.15% | — |
| Median Age | 33.8 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 3.90% |
| 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 Francisco
Advantages
Median household income stands high at $140,970 per the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts.
Access to world-class public transportation and high walkability relative to most US cities.
Thriving innovation and tech startup ecosystem with robust venture capital presence.
Abundant natural beauty, featuring Golden Gate Park and immediate proximity to coastal trails.
Renowned culinary scene featuring diverse international cuisine and Michelin-starred dining.
Drawbacks
Average rent prices remain among the highest in the United States, averaging over $4,400 per month.
Overall cost of living index is significantly elevated compared to the national average.
High property crime rates and visible street-level challenges in select downtown commercial corridors.
Steep home purchase prices with average single-family homes exceeding $1.4 million per Zillow data.
State and local tax burdens are among the highest in the nation.
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 Francisco
#545California, USA
48.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$4,475
Avg Salary
$100,200
Cost Index
168
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
80.0/100
Walkability
87.0/100
Sunny Days
313/yr
Avg Temp
57.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
79
Business
82
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