City Comparison
Fontana vs San Jose
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fontana scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fontana
San Jose
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fontana is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
25% lower than in San Jose.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fontana's average rent is
29% lower than San Jose's.
| Metric | Fontana | San Jose | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,400 | $3,395 | -29% |
| Groceries | $400 | $480 | -17% |
| Utilities | $180 | $195 | -8% |
| Transport | $120 | $140 | -14% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $270 | -7% |
| Monthly Total | $3,350 | $4,480 | -25% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 175 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
San Jose offers 37% 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 $95,000 in San Jose.
| Metric | Fontana | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $115,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $95,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,925 idx | 65,714 idx |
| Household Income | $102,821 | $146,427 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fontana runs warmer on average — a 5.5°F difference year-round.
Winter severity differs too — San Jose sees 1.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fontana | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 67.20°F | 61.70°F |
| Summer High | 93.00°F | 82.20°F |
| Winter Low | 48.10°F | 43.20°F |
| Rainfall | 25.40 in | 20.30 in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | 1.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 322 | 319 |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 60.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
San Jose has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Fontana.
San Jose scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, San Jose leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fontana | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 33 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 37.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 65.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
San Jose is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x 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 Jose has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fontana | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,223 | 989,814 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.15% | — |
| Median Age | 33.8 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 4.10% |
| 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.
San Jose
Advantages
Median household income in San Jose is exceptionally high at $146,427, nearly double the national average per the U.S. Census Bureau.
The city enjoys an outstanding climate featuring approximately 319 sunny days per year and mild seasonal temperatures.
San Jose's computer and mathematical occupational sectors command a mean hourly wage of $97.15, vastly outperforming national benchmarks.
The local economy is anchored by global tech innovators and massive employers, offering unmatched career growth in engineering and software.
Educational attainment is remarkably high, with nearly 49% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
Drawbacks
The cost of living runs substantially above the national average, driven by high RPP indices and steep consumer prices.
Average monthly rent for apartments exceeds $3,300, placing heavy financial strain on renters.
Median home values surpass $1.2 million, creating significant barriers to entry for prospective homebuyers.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours on regional freeways can lead to frustrating daily transit times.
Property crime and vehicle break-ins remain persistent urban challenges across certain commercial corridors.
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 Jose
#492California, USA
53.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,395
Avg Salary
$115,000
Cost Index
175
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
319/yr
Avg Temp
61.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
79
Business
85
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Fontana and San Jose.
Open Cost Calculator