Is Fontana, CA cheaper than Salt Lake City, UT?

Based on cost of living data, Fontana, CA is 17.3% more expensive than Salt Lake City, UT. This translates to spending an extra $1297 per month.

What salary do I need in Fontana, CA to live like I do in Salt Lake City, UT?

If you earn $150,000 in Salt Lake City, UT, you'd need approximately $165,569.566 in Fontana, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Salt Lake City, UT and Fontana, CA?

Housing in Fontana, CA is 38.6% more expensive than in Salt Lake City, UT. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,660/month in Fontana, CA compared to $1,400/month in Salt Lake City, UT.

How much can I save per month by moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Fontana, CA?

Living in Fontana, CA costs approximately $1297 more per month than Salt Lake City, UT, or $15570 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Salt Lake City, UT vs Fontana, CA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Salt Lake City, UT

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.3K/month more in Fontana, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $165.6K in Fontana, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Salt Lake City, UT area

Overall Cost

↑ 17.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,297

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$15.6K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Salt Lake City, UT

Population:210K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$518K

Fontana, CA

Population:208K

Cost Index:

117

(17% above avg)

Median Home:$600K

Salt Lake City, UT

The Beehive State

210K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Utah, this city has a population of 210K residents.

Fontana, CA

The Golden State

208K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 208K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Salt Lake City, UT vs Fontana, CA

Category	Salt Lake City, UT	Fontana, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,531/mo	$3,508/mo	↑ $977more	38.6%
Transportation	$1,247/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $911more	73.1%
Groceries	$950/mo	$1,039/mo	↑ $89.29more	9.4%
All Utilities	$472/mo	$557/mo	↑ $85.60more	18.1%
Healthcare	$625/mo	$551/mo	↓ $73.63less	11.8%
Other	$1,670/mo	$1,724/mo	↑ $54.49more	3.3%

Housing

↑ 38.6%

Salt Lake City, UT

$2,531

Fontana, CA

$3,508

Difference

$977

Transportation

↑ 73.1%

Salt Lake City, UT

$1,247

Fontana, CA

$2,158

Difference

$911

Groceries

↑ 9.4%

Salt Lake City, UT

$950

Fontana, CA

$1,039

Difference

$89.29

All Utilities

↑ 18.1%

Salt Lake City, UT

$472

Fontana, CA

$557

Difference

$85.60

Healthcare

↓ 11.8%

Salt Lake City, UT

$625

Fontana, CA

$551

Difference

$73.63

less

Other

↑ 3.3%

Salt Lake City, UT

$1,670

Fontana, CA

$1,724

Difference

$54.49

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,008

To$2,050

↑ $1,042

1 Bed

From$1,168

To$2,150

↑ $982

2 Bed

From$1,400

To$2,660

↑ $1,260

3 Bed

From$1,872

To$3,520

↑ $1,648

Salt Lake City, UTZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,310–$1,820/mo

Fontana, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,850–$2,150/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,494

Monthly in Salt Lake City, UT

$9,539

Monthly in Fontana, CA

$2,045

Difference

Home Values

Salt Lake City

Fontana

$518K

Median Value

$600K

↑ +0.4%

YoY Change

↓ -2.7%

↑ +30.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +36.2%

$400K - $902K

Price Range

$553K - $693K

Homes in Fontana are 16% more expensive than Salt Lake City

Calculate payment - Salt Lake City Calculate payment - Fontana

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $3.4K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$279

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.2%

Rate difference

Salt Lake City, UT

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Utah State Tax

Effective: 4.9%

$7.3K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.5%

$44.3K

Take-Home Pay

$8,809/month

$105.7K

Fontana, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Salt Lake City, UT Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%

Property Tax:0.6%

Fontana, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.