CostIndexUSA

Fontana, CA vs Missoula, MT Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Fontana
106.4
overall index
$2,475/mo rent
More AffordableMT
Missoula
96.4
overall index
$1,550/mo rent

Missoula is moderately cheaper than Fontana — 9.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fontana, you would need $72,500 in Missoula. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing26.6%
Fontana
129.3
Missoula
94.9
🛒 Groceries5.3%
Fontana
101.4
Missoula
96
🚗 Transportation2.4%
Fontana
106.3
Missoula
103.7
🏥 Healthcare2.5%
Fontana
96.2
Missoula
93.8
Utilities51.5%
Fontana
148.6
Missoula
72.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Fontana to see what you'd need to earn in Missoula to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Missoula, MT
$72,500
$7,500 less needed in Missoula

Formula: salary × (96.4 ÷ 106.4) = salary × 0.9060. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fontana, CA

Median Home Price
$576,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,475
Housing Index
129.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Missoula, MT

Median Home Price
$552,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
94.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.7×

Fontana has 26.6% lower housing costs compared to Missoula.

Income & Job Market

Fontana, CA

Median Household Income
$87,800
Per Capita Income
$50,000
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
214,547
Top Industries
ManufacturingLogisticsHealthcareRetailConstruction

Missoula, MT

Median Household Income
$73,300
Per Capita Income
$41,800
Unemployment Rate
2.5%
Population
73,489
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTourismGovernmentRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Fontana, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

66% of income left after rent (median)

Missoula, MT
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.