Question 1

Is Corona or Fontana cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Fontana, CA is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $610/month less than in Corona, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $2,136/mo in Corona versus $1,733/mo in Fontana.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Corona vs Fontana?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $90,000/year before tax in Corona, CA and $76,000/year in Fontana, CA — a difference of about $14,000. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Corona or Fontana cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Fontana, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $11,126/month in Corona and $10,384/month in Fontana, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Corona or Fontana?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Fontana costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Corona63	Fontana69
Est. monthly cost (single)	$4,694	$4,084
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$11,126	$10,384
Salary for comfort	$90,000/yr	$76,000/yr
Typical rent	$2,136	$1,733
Median home value	$656,500	$558,500
Median household income	$106,438	$98,187
Unemployment	4.6%	4.8%
Housing score	44	53
Jobs score	40	34
Safety score	74	79
Climate score	100	100
Amenities score	52	58
Population	158.8K	211.9K
Summer high / winter low	92° / 39°	92° / 44°

Corona, CA vs Fontana, CA