Fontana vs Mobile: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Fontana, California compare to Mobile, Alabama? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Mobile is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 220% higher in Fontana compared to Mobile, while rent is 64% higher. State income tax is 13.3% in CA vs 5% in AL.
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Mobile, AL | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $506,600 | $158,400 | +219.8% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,616 | $985 | +64.1% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $93,230 | $48,524 | +92.1% |
| Per Capita Income | $30,351 | $31,328 | -3.1% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | 5.0% | +166.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 9.2% | -5.9% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 209,279 | 186,316 | +12.3% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Fontana
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Mobile
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Fontana costs $506,600 compared to $158,400 in Mobile — a 220% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,616/mo in Fontana vs $985/mo in Mobile.
- Income: Median household income is $93,230 in Fontana and $48,524 in Mobile.
- Taxes: State income tax is 13.3% in California vs 5% in Alabama.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).