Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fontana, CA
VS
Renton, WA
🏆 Fontana leads 14 of 23 categories
Fontana
California
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$93,230 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
71 ✓ Safer
Population
209,279 ✓ Larger
Renton
Washington
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,292
Violent Crime Index
89
Population
105,355
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fontana, CA
Pros
20% less violent crime than Renton
Rent averages $248/mo less ($1,616 vs $1,864)
Homes cost $70k less ($506,600 vs $576,800)
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 48°F
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Renton
Cons
Higher unemployment (6.2% vs 4.2%)
Renton, WA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (4.2%)
More college-educated — 36.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 94°F
Smaller class sizes — 18.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,864/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Pricier housing — median home is $576,800
Property crime (3313.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Fontana
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 107.9 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Fontana
Median Income
$938
$93,230 vs $92,292/yr
Fontana
Violent Crime
20% lower
270.2 vs 339.2 per 100k
Fontana
Median Home Value
$70k less
$506,600 vs $576,800
Fontana
Summer Heat
16.6°F warmer
July avg high 93.8°F vs 77.2°F
Renton
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
4.2% vs 6.2% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Renton, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 107.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $506,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $576,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,616⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,864⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $93,230 ✓ Higher | $92,292 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 33.3 min⚠ High | 30.8 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.4% | 16.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 66 ✓ Safer | 117⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 71 ✓ Safer | 89 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 58 ✓ Safer | 158⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | B- (93) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.7:1 | 18.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.0% | 36.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 78.3% | 89.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fontana Unified | Renton School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.7°F ✓ Warmer | 48.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 93.8°F ✓ Warmer | 77.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.3" ✓ Drier | 44.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 6.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 209,279 ✓ Larger | 105,355 |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 36.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.6% ✓ Higher | 53.6% |
| Under 18 | 27.9% ✓ More | 20.6% |
| Over 65 | 8.8% | 12.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fontana's cost of living index is 107.9 vs Renton's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Fontana is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fontana leads 14 of 23 categories. Fontana wins 14 and Renton wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Fontana to Renton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($506,600 vs $576,800 median home), income ($93,230 vs $92,292), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fontana, CA and Renton, WA are about 956 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.