City Comparison
Fontana vs Stockton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fontana scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fontana
Stockton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Stockton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Fontana.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fontana's average rent is
43% higher than Stockton's.
| Metric | Fontana | Stockton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,400 | $1,677 | +43% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $130 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $240 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $3,350 | $2,627 | +28% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fontana offers 16% 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 Stockton.
| Metric | Fontana | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,925 idx | 59,048 idx |
| Household Income | $102,821 | $79,907 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.9°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Fontana sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fontana | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 67.20°F | 63.30°F |
| Summer High | 93.00°F | 91.80°F |
| Winter Low | 48.10°F | 41.70°F |
| Rainfall | 25.40 in | 22.70 in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 322 | 319 |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Stockton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Fontana.
Stockton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Stockton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fontana | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 33 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 37.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Stockton 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.
On the employment side, Fontana has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fontana | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,223 | 324,597 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.15% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 33.8 | 33.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 7.20% |
| 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.
Stockton
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates are substantially more affordable than nearby coastal California metropolitan regions.
Strategic location along major logistics corridors, rail lines, and the Port of Stockton supports robust employment in supply chain and distribution.
Rich cultural and ethnic diversity reflected in local community life, festivals, and dining options.
Presence of reputable higher education institutions like the University of the Pacific and San Joaquin Delta College.
Proximity to the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta provides extensive outdoor recreation, boating, and fishing opportunities.
Drawbacks
Crime rates, both property and violent, historically track above national medians across several city sectors.
Local unemployment rates frequently run higher than the national and statewide averages.
High car dependency and regional commuter traffic congestion along major corridors like Interstate 5.
Air quality in the Central Valley basin can experience seasonal challenges during summer months and wildfire seasons.
Certain localized health professional shortages exist within San Joaquin County medical sectors.
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
Stockton
#564California, USA
47.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,677
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
319/yr
Avg Temp
63.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
7.20%
Livability
68
Business
66
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